More than 375 meals were served during the drive-up event at the Alaska VA thanks to an Operation Comfort Warriors grant.
An American Legion Operation Comfort Warriors grant of $6,675 provided 375 meals for veterans on Aug. 13 during the Alaska VA Healthcare’s first Veteran Appreciation Curbside BBQ event in Anchorage.
In the parking lot outside the VA, Department of Alaska American Legion Family, VA health care staff and other volunteers pre-packaged meals of pulled pork, hamburgers, hotdogs and vegan burgers, along with sides. The meat was prepared by Bear’s Belly BBQ. Veterans pulled into the parking lot and safely stayed in their cars while masked volunteers provided the meal of choice.
"Great event, food makes people happy and it made me super happy serving veterans of Anchorage," said Michael Downs, American Legion Department of Alaska first vice commander. The relationship "with the VA here is strong and the three volunteer coordinators were all about helping promote the mission of The American Legion."
Additional meals also were delivered to veterans at the Alaska VA Domiciliary and to homeless veterans.
Alaska VA Healthcare Acting Director Thomas Steinbrunner said it was "an amazing opportunity" to work with The American Legion to serve area veterans. "We are so grateful for what they do for us and our veterans each and every day," he said. "This is just one perfect example of that support.”
- Operation Comfort Warriors