Post 199 in Edwardsville opened its doors to military families and community members for a free dinner.
As the government shutdown presses on, American Legion Post 199 in Edwardsville, Ill., opened its doors to military families and community members being affected.
The post hosted a free dinner for federal employees on Sunday, Oct. 26. And will host another free dinner this Sunday, Nov. 2.
“We thought this was a great opportunity to help out the community that always helps us,” said Denise Elzie, senior vice commander of Post 199. “This event was especially meaningful to our post because it represented what The American Legion (Post 199) has stood for the past 101 years — service, community and commitment to one another. Our community has supported Post 199 for more than a century, and we are proud to give back whenever we can, especially during challenging times.”
Military families from nearby Scott Air Force Base, national parks service staff and other federal workers enjoyed a dinner of chicken alfredo, mostaccioli and house salad prepared by the post’s chef, while Legion and Auxiliary members served the meal “to talk with the individuals who were struggling,” Elzie said. “The families that did show up were very grateful. We had a great team to support them. I had great volunteers.”
Elzie said one individual with the national parks service had dinner beforehand but still came to the post to be around people who were being affected by the government shutdown.
“She was like, ‘I'm struggling. This is how I'm getting through it. How are you guys getting through it? What's your next step?’” Elzie said. “She came to share her story and hear from other people that are going through the same things that she's going through. The point of this dinner was to help the community, really to help those that were in need. And it's hard. It's hard to ask for help.”
Elzie knows what it’s like to be a military family affected by a government shutdown and having to ask for help. During the 2008 shutdown, both her and her husband were serving and had a baby on the way.
“I was a very young airman at the time,” she said. “We were a young family living paycheck to paycheck, and it was a scary moment. We didn't know how we were going to go forward the next month if we had not gotten paid. We had to borrow money from family just to make sure that we were OK for that month until the government came back up and then we were fine. But it was scary.
“It’s really hard to ask for help, so by coming to The American Legion I think the individuals felt comfortable to say, ‘I can relate to these people. I can come here and enjoy this meal and be okay,’.”
Elzie was inspired to feed her community after seeing other acts of kindness and hopes Post 199’s free dinner will be another example.
“We were inspired by stories of others stepping up to help, and we hoped to do the same — to inspire acts of kindness and remind everyone that together, we can make a difference,” she said. “If we can get another restaurant or if we can get another organization to help these people out, especially right before the holidays, that's great.
“It’s helping people,” Elzie added. “Upholding the Legion’s four pillars remains at the heart of all we do, and we are honored to continue serving both our members and our community with pride and purpose.”
- Government Shutdown