SAN ANTONIO — H-E-B is deepening its longstanding commitment to military service members and their families, expanding its support for wounded Veterans through enhanced home renovation initiatives while celebrating Veterans Day with more than 360 community events across Texas.
Building on more than a decade of providing mortgage-free, specially adapted homes to severely wounded military Veterans, H-E-B is broadening its assistance to include critical home repairs and accessibility upgrades for Veterans in need. The retailer’s Homes Built for Heroes renovation program, launched last year, focuses on improving independence and quality of life through modifications such as wheelchair ramps, accessible bathrooms, and widened doorways.
After supporting 10 Veterans with renovation projects in its inaugural year, H-E-B tripled the program’s reach in 2025, completing 30 renovation projects in partnership with Operation Finally Home. The company plans to expand the effort even further in 2026.
One of the most recent renovation projects supported U.S. Army and Air Force Veteran Linda Bryant and her family in Houston. Working alongside Rebuilding Together Houston, more than 60 H-E-B Partners volunteered to paint the home’s exterior, refresh landscaping, and provide additional improvements. As part of the celebration, Bryant also received a $500 H-E-B gift card to help stock her pantry.
“At H-E-B, we are deeply grateful to the Veterans and families who have sacrificed so much in service to our nation,” said Winell Herron, H-E-B Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Diversity, and Environmental Affairs. “We are proud to honor their legacy and show our appreciation.”
360 Veterans Day Events Across Texas
H-E-B Partners statewide are honoring Veterans and their families through special in-store activations and community celebrations. This year, the retailer will distribute gift bags filled with H-E-B brand items and handwritten notes of gratitude inside stores and at Veteran-focused nonprofits, including VFW and American Legion locations. Many stores will also host Veterans Day receptions and appreciation gatherings.
In total, H-E-B is taking part in more than 360 Veterans Day events across Texas as part of its Operation Appreciation program.
More Than a Decade of Veteran Support
Launched in 2013, Operation Appreciation is H-E-B’s year-round initiative supporting military service members, Veterans, and their families. The program has contributed more than $17 million to military-based nonprofits and has played a major role in providing mortgage-free homes to Veterans with severe injuries.
This year alone, H-E-B presented two fully furnished, mortgage-free homes to wounded Veterans, raising its total to 53 homes gifted—with more planned in the coming year. These efforts are supported by the H-E-B Tournament of Champions Charitable Trust and partnerships with organizations including the Gary Sinise Foundation, Homes for Our Troops, and Operation Finally Home.
H-E-B also supports nonprofits such as K9s For Warriors and Patriot PAWS, helping fund the training of Service Dogs for Veterans. Through customer-supported donation campaigns, H-E-B has raised more than $4.3 million for military nonprofits since 2013. Additionally, each purchase of Café Ole by H-E-B Commemorative Collection coffee contributes 35 cents to military organizations across Texas.
A Legacy Rooted in Service
H-E-B’s commitment to military support traces back to Howard E. Butt Sr., who served in the U.S. Navy during World War I. Today, that spirit of service continues to guide the company’s mission. Regularly recognized as a top workplace for Veterans, H-E-B has hired more than 30,000 Veterans and military spouses since 2014.
As the company expands its home renovation initiatives and honors Veterans across Texas, H-E-B’s Operation Appreciation continues to embody a deep, unwavering commitment to the men and women who have served the nation.