Arizona Lottery Partners With U.S.VETS Phoenix to Support Veterans Working Toward Long-Term Stability

$25,000 Arizona Lottery Gives Back contribution will help provide meals, transportation and everyday essentials for veterans served by U.S.VETS Phoenix

PHOENIX (October 15, 2026) – The Arizona Lottery and U.S.VETS Phoenix announced a new partnership supporting veterans working toward greater stability and self-sufficiency through a $25,000 Arizona Lottery Gives Back contribution.

Support from the Arizona Lottery ensures veterans in the program receive daily nutritious meals, transit support, and household essentials like hygiene products, bedding, and towels. This funding directly advances Arizona Lottery’s goal to strengthen Health and Human Services—one of the agency's core funding pillars—by delivering targeted assistance across three critical program areas to U.S. VETS – Phoenix: food security, essential move-in supplies, and transportation assistance. 

“At the Arizona Lottery, our mission extends far beyond generating revenue through game sales—it’s about delivering meaningful, lasting benefits to our local communities," said Alec Thomson, Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery. "Partnering with U.S. VETS strongly reinforces our commitment to Health and Human Services by honoring those who served our country, connecting them with the essential resources they need to gain stability."

By removing these immediate financial and logistical burdens, the partnership allows local veterans to focus fully on healthcare, employment, and their long-term path toward stable, permanent housing. In 2025 alone, U.S. VETS – Phoenix served more than 116,000 meals to local service members, reflecting the deep community need this collaboration helps address. 

As part of the partnership, Arizona Lottery and U.S.VETS Phoenix will host a fall celebration on Oct. 29 at the M.D. Hawkins Veterans Center, giving residents and staff an afternoon of food, activities and community.

Founded more than 30 years ago in Inglewood, California, U.S.VETS has become one of the nation’s largest nonprofit providers of services for veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The organization serves more than 20,000 veterans and their families each year through residential programs and services including housing support, employment assistance, mental health care, suicide prevention and peer support.

“Support from the Arizona Lottery allows us to continue helping our veterans to regain independence and thrive,” said U.S.VETS PHOENIX. “Many people entering our program face significant challenges, and this partnership with the Arizona Lottery can help ensure they receive not only housing and basic necessities, but also the dignity, hope and opportunity they earned through their service.”

Through ticket sales, the Arizona Lottery Gives Back program continues to expand its positive impact, working alongside community partners to create tangible change across all 15 Arizona counties.