VFW Post 7356 in Parkville, Missouri, is making sure food gets to families at Fort Leavenworth, a nearby U.S. Army installation just across the state line in Kansas.
“The donation drive was a suggestion brought up during one of our Zoom meetings by Roger Capote, a retired chaplain’s assistant and member of our Post, shortly after the start of stay-at-home orders in and around our county,” said Post Commander Joseph Wolfgeher.
“From there, several of us began the collection of non-perishable items to be taken to the Chaplain’s Pantry over at Fort Leavenworth.”
The Post delivers dry and canned goods to the pantry approximately every two weeks. The pantry’s shelves have been emptied at times during the COVID-19 crisis and the deliveries are a huge help to families experiencing unprecedented hardship right now.
Post Senior Vice Commander and Events Coordinator Hank Cartagena has served with the Military Police unit at Fort Leavenworth, so this mission is close to his heart. He’s coordinating with Jessica Reyes, who is active duty at the Fort, on collecting and delivering donated items.
“The donations are coming from within our communities as well as through the Platte County Commissioner and other friends,” Wolfgeher said.
“Roger, Hank and Jessica truly are key components to the success of the donation drive that has helped over 40 families at Fort Leavenworth. Especially during the time of social distancing and stay-at-home orders, it’s an honor to have these comrades as a part of Post 7356.”
The Post’s efforts to help their fellow service members are valued by their community and were recently featured on a local news broadcast.