On average, about 17 veterans across the country take their own life every day, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. And officials with the agency say that number is growing every year.
But one mid-Michigan bakery owner wants to bring that number down, one cookie at a time.
Starting this month, Sergeant Scoops and Baked Goods in the Midland Mall Food Court will offer cookie baking classes to all veterans and their family members.
Steve Billmeier owns the bakery along with his wife Jessica and is a veteran himself. He said he wants to help veterans who struggle with issues like post traumatic stress disorder or depression by inviting them into his kitchen.
"It helps with your day-to-day life, like the structure of it," he explained. "Just hanging out with another veteran and being able to talk to another is important. I'm also a combat veteran, so I have a lot of people that come up to me and just want to talk and that's what I'm here for."
Billmeier says the classes are free for all veterans and their families. But he says veterans can talk to him any time during business hours at the store.
Editor's note: If you or someone you know may be considering suicide or is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
