Flooding in Connersville, Ind., forced Post 1 to cancel its Aug. 15 fundraiser dinner. The post instead began providing free meals to those impacted, and has continued to do so.
Under brand new leadership, the American Legion Family at Post 1 in Connersville, Ind., had scheduled a pulled pork dinner fundraiser for Aug. 15, in part to generate income and in part to reintroduce itself its Southeastern Indiana community.
But when relentless rain caused flooding at a historic level in Central and Eastern Indiana, it impacted Connersville as well. On Aug. 13, the West Fork of the Whitewater River crested at record 21.78 feet, flooding Connersville and surrounding communities. Some areas saw as much as 40 inches of water enter buildings.
That put a halt into Post 1’s fundraiser, which planned on feeding 100 to 200 people. But Legion Family leadership quickly pivoted, using the food to begin feeding its community and first-responders – an effort that is ongoing and has grown. A core group of around seven volunteers have been spearheading the effort.
“When all of this happened, we firmly believed as leadership … that the important thing was serving the community, and that God would provide long-term,” American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1 Vice President Donna Bunch said. “So what we chose to do is we came in (Aug. 14) and handed out free food.
“We started a chain on Facebook. We started getting more people. And between (Aug. 14 to Aug. 17), we have fed about 331 people.”
Post 1 only suffered damage to its roof from the rain. Bunch, whose husband Gary serves as Post 1’s finance officer and membership chairman, said while it will need repaired, the building still is usable.
“We’ve stayed down at the post and kept it open so people can come in and have a place to cool off,” she said. “We did have a few come in. But the wonderful thing that’s happened is we’ve signed up 10 new members over the course of the weekend.”
Post 1’s effort had to expand when the volunteers realized there was another need. “We found then that people didn’t want to leave (their homes),” Bunch said. “They don’t want to leave their belongings, and they need to be there in case insurance or FEMA comes by. So what we started doing is delivering. We’re taking the food to them and meeting them at their need.”
HVAC manufacturer Trane donated a pallet of water to the post and “tons of food to hand out,” Bunch said. “Also, Walmart donated all of our breads. Gary and I donated things. (Post Commander Ryan Willis) donated a bunch of stuff, even though he’s got seven major leaks in his house.”
Bunch has a commercial kitchen in her home, where they’ve been cooking food. The post now is teaming up with CrossPointe Community Church, a motorcyclist church, to both gather, cook and deliver food. Post 1 now primarily provides desserts.
“With CrossPointe stepping up, we’ve reared back a little bit. But I just had a meeting with CrossPointe, and they gave us a bunch of things to continue making desserts,” Bunch said. “When I had my restaurant, that was huge that we did. We’re going to take all of those recipes and start cranking out cookies and carrot cake and whatever else I can come up with the feed the masses and keep it going.”
Donations from the community continue to flow to the post, which will then be handed off to CrossPointe. “We all work together to cook the meals and then get them delivered,” Bunch said. “This will be an ongoing effort into at least two weeks.”
Bunch said amid the devastation that has occurred in Connersville, Post 1 has been a beacon of hope and has, in fact, reintroduced itself to its community.
“We’re getting the publicity in a positive way, which was a sidenote: ‘Let them see that we’re different,’” she said. “We’re not the same old leadership. We are about you. We are not going to be selfish with anything. We’re here for our veterans AND the community.”
Assistance Available. Through The American Legion’s National Emergency Fund (NEF), grants of up to $3,000 for Legionnaires and SAL members, and $10,000 for Legion posts impacted by the flooding and tornadoes are available. Individuals must have been displaced from their primary residence due to damage from a declared natural disaster. Post grants must derive from a declared natural disaster causing damage to the post building and restricting use of the facility for programs.
NEF does not provide for repairs or replacement of lost or damaged items in the primary home of residence. If the destroyed property is owned by the member, but he/she does not physically live there, that is not covered. Vehicles or outbuildings are not covered. If the home is rented, renters insurance paperwork should be provided, if any.
For American Legion posts, the only things covered are for post programs that might sustain losses pertaining to the intent of the four pillars of The American Legion. Losses from the social quarters and/or restaurant of the post are not covered. A copy of the most recent Consolidated Post Report (CPR) needs to be attached.
NEF grants are not meant to replace or repair items, only to meet the most immediate needs (i.e., temporary housing, food, water, clothing, diapers, etc.) during the period immediately following the disaster. They also do not cover insurance compensation or monetary losses from a business, structures on your property (barns, tool sheds, etc.,) equipment or vehicles.
To request NEF assistance, click here. To donate to the National Emergency Fund, click here.
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