Post 9 in Milbank, S.D., has teamed with three other veteran service organizations to stage three food distributions, with three more scheduled between now and March.
Last March, Birch Miller American Legion Post 9 in Milbank, S.D., teamed with three other area veteran service organizations to stage a food distribution event for area veterans and their families. In less than 30 minutes, 50 boxes of food were distributed.
The initial success paved the way for Groceries for Vets, a collaboration between the veterans groups, grocery stores, local businesses and private individuals. Since the initial giveaway, two larger efforts have taken place, with another scheduled for Dec. 16, one in January and another in mid-March. Items in the box include ground beef, sandwich meat, cereal, butter, fresh fruit, bread and other staples.
Along with Post 9 and its Sons of The American Legion squadron, Groceries for Vets also receives support from Disabled American Veterans Chapter 19, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3486 and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1054.
Bob Frink, a member of Post 9, DVA Chapter 19 and VVA Chapter 1054, serves as chairman of Groceries for Vets. “It’s geared toward veterans in need,” he said. “But at the same time, we don’t want to chase them away by putting them into a classification of being in need. Vets are pretty darn proud people.”
In order to avoid that, Groceries for Vets doesn’t include any financial vetting. All that is required to receive a food box is a VA or military ID, a DD-214 or a driver’s license with a veteran designation. The spouse of a deceased veteran also can receive a box by showing the veteran’s DD-214.
Since then, local businesses and individuals have provided financial support for the effort. That, along with the continued support from the four veteran service organizations has allowed the effort to keep growing. More than 70 boxes of food were distributed in October and 80 more in mid-November. Another giveaway is scheduled for Dec. 16 and will include turkey dinners provided by a local restaurant owner who also did so for the November distribution.
“The first one was so successful. The turnout was unbelievable,” Post 9 Adjutant and Past Department of South Dakota Commander Tim Jurgens said. “From there, by word of mouth and articles in the paper, more people wanted to get involved. We’ve been able to raise a considerable amount of money.”
Frink also has been successful in applying for a $3,500 grant that matched a previous grant awarded to Groceries for Vets. All told, the program has raised around $26,000.
Being able to fundraise so well is critical to the program. “(In the past) we’ve promoting giving money away, and it’s almost like the people who go out and sing Christmas carols,” Frink said. “You go out and do it once a year and you’re done. We wanted to try to get it so we could hand out groceries three, four, five times a year, so that we’re not just a one-time-a-year event.
“We’ve increased the meals, and we’re doing it five times a year. And we’re targeting the colder months because that’s really when they need the most help.”
Frink said Groceries for Vets is getting noticed outside of Milbank, with similar efforts being started in communities such as Willow Lake, Clark, Clear Lake, Webster and Sisseton. And Gertje-Van Lith American Legion Auxiliary Unit 229 in Big Stone also has brought the effort to nearby Ortonville, Minn.
Being able to provide such critical assistance “is very satisfying,” Frink said. “It’s just amazing. It’s veterans helping veterans. That really says what we’re trying to do. We don’t need credit. We’re just trying to get the help where it’s needed.”
- Community