PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — “I have been a disabled vet since I left Korea,” said Timothy Finnerty, a Korean War veteran. “The government doesn’t give me enough money to go ahead and take care of myself and my family.”

Finnerty was one of dozens of veterans waiting in line Friday morning outside the Providence VA hospital for the distribution of warm jackets and clothing donated to Operation Stand Down Rhode Island .

“I have to go to coat drives, and soup kitchens, and make ends meet any way I can,” Finnerty said.

“If I don’t have to go ahead and take money out of my pocket to buy a coat, or to buy my daughter’s coat… I can go ahead and use the money to buy food,” he added.

The line for the annual “Operation Keep ‘Em Warm” was actually longer than usual, said Dee Rothermel, the director of development for Operation Stand Down.

“One of the things we always stay at Operation Stand Down is that everyday is Veteran’s Day, because everyday we’re doing something for the veterans and trying to help those veterans that aren’t as fortunate,” Rothermel said.

Supplying new clothes is just one of Operation Stand Down’s services — in partnership with the VA — for those who have served our country. They also provide employment and housing assistance and operate a year-round food pantry.

More events are scheduled for later in the winter to provide coats for veterans and their families who are in need.