Picture this: You're heading back home after years of deployment. You anxiously await to return to your "normal life," reconnecting with loved ones and familiar places, yet you have never felt more disconnected. You thought your service was complete, but still, you grapple with the immense physical and emotional toll of adapting to life post-service while trying to build the future you deserve.   

This isn't a hypothetical for tens of thousands of veterans—it's a gut-wrenching reality. 

Two organizations leading the change in supporting veterans beyond service are Backpacks for Life and Stop Soldier Suicide. They both help veterans of all eras seamlessly and confidently reintegrate into society by getting the support they need to continue post-service and ultimately thrive. Backpacks for Life does this by providing veterans experiencing homelessness (or who may be at risk) with survival backpacks, plus coaching & mentorship. Stop Soldier Suicide is the only national nonprofit focused solely on solving the issue of suicide among U.S. veterans and service members. Their team is laser-focused on care and research that is specific to reducing veteran and service member suicide. 
   

When you check out at RISE, you can support these great causes by rounding up to the nearest dollar. Learn more about how your change can help influence change at the link below.    

Backpacks for Life & Stop Soldier Suicide were founded on a simple but powerful belief: all veterans deserve to thrive post-service.    

RISE Dispensary has partnered with Backpacks for Life and Stop Soldier Suicide for this year's Round-Up Campaign to amplify its impact and invite customers to join them in ensuring all soldiers receive the support they need post-service.

When you shop at RISE, round up your purchase to the nearest dollar. Every cent donated will be shared directly with Backpacks for Life and Stop Soldier Suicide. We'll match every dollar donated up to $500,000 annually to further the impact.    

It's important to remember that the impact of serving isn't limited to deployment. More often than not, it leaves physical and emotional scars that people will carry for the rest of their lives. 
   

After losing friends and fellow service members to suicide, Army veterans Brian Kinsella, Nick Black, and Craig Gridelli were determined to create a solution for their fellow veterans who were struggling. For them, military suicide isn't just a problem. It's personal.    

It was clear that something had to be done - proactively - to get their brothers and sisters in arms the help they needed and reduce the number of service members and veterans lost to suicide. 
   

Through their experiences, they realized that the key to preventing suicide is to identify, understand, and address the underlying issues — things like financial strain, post-traumatic stress and other mental health issues, and difficulties navigating the transition from military to civilian — BEFORE they escalate to a point of crisis. 
   

The problem is clear: The systems in place aren't working. Getting help isn't as easy as it should be — and trying to navigate a complicated maze of organizations and resources can be overwhelming when you're in crisis.    

Stop Soldier Suicide was built to change that.    

Experiences like these remind us of what's at stake: support, compassion, and equity for thousands of veterans and their families. 
   

Sgt. Brett D'Alessandro returned home from a seven-month deployment in Afghanistan to what he thought was the end of a long road. He quickly learned that an even longer road filled with struggle and confusion lay ahead.    

After a challenging deployment, Brett came home and was thrown into the process of reintegrating into civilian Life. He struggled to figure out his next steps - returning to school, finding a job, or continuing his military career. During this time, Brett was also working on his health - mentally and physically. His spouse, Alexa, was by his side but felt unequipped and uneducated in how to best support him through this transition. A chance encounter with a homeless veteran on the streets of Rhode Island turned Brett and Alexa's entire situation around…

While on his way to a doctor's appointment at the Newport Naval Base in Rhode Island, Brett was driving when he saw a homeless veteran on the side of the road. That day, Brett distributed his backpack from deployment to this veteran filled with socks and warm layers. From this simple act…Backpacks for Life was born. Something resonated with Brett. It wasn't just him or those he was deployed with or the veteran he’d just met…it was MANY veterans nationwide who had to deal with the trauma of coming home and not knowing where to turn. Brett took this moment as a sign to do more and be more for his fellow service members. 
   

Since 2014, BFL has been dedicated to serving homeless and at-risk veterans through backpack distribution and a mentorship program. The BFL team works one-on-one with veterans to help them find the right supportive services for their situation. The process is aided by countless hours of personal interaction and the physical distribution of backpacks. Backpacks represent the first line of defense, a symbol of hope, and so much more to the team at Backpacks for Life.    

Our partnership with Backpacks for Life and Stop Soldier Suicide makes it easy for you to take action.

Here's how you can get involved:

1. Round Up at Checkout     Every time you shop at RISE, round up your total to the nearest dollar. RISE will then match your donation up to $500,000 annually.    

2. Spread the Word     Share this initiative with your friends, family, and followers.     

3. Learn More     Visit the Backpacks for Life and Stop Soldier Suicide websites to explore their work, read success stories, and find additional ways to contribute.    

4. Advocate for Reform     Contact your representatives and support legislation prioritizing more support for veterans post-service. Your voice matters.    

By supporting Backpacks for Life and Stop Soldier Suicide through the Round Up with RISE Campaign, you're not just helping veterans—you're contributing to a movement to reimagine a more compassionate future for those who have sacrificed so much for our country. 
   

Together, we can make a difference and create a more just future for all. So, let's Round Up and rise to build a better future for veterans and their families.