A Bridgeport nonprofit that serves homeless veterans has received an early Veterans Day gift.

The Homes for the Brave shelter took a big hit in September when its old delivery van conked out, bringing deliveries of critical supplies like food and clothing to a halt.

That’s when somebody who saw the story on News 12 approached executive director Vince Santilli at a recent meet-and-greet at Port Five and offered to donate a Ford E-250.

There was one catch: The vehicle needed thousands of dollars-worth of repairs. Santilli says Trumbull Center Mobile “stepped forward and has done all the repair work” for free.

“We are just so grateful to News 12 Connecticut, Frank Recchia and to everybody that's been involved in this entire initiative," says Santilli.

The van making its first delivery this weekend, picking up a load of winter coats in Long Island.