Sixty-five meals in three and a half hours.
Members of Patchogue’s VFW Post 2913 hosted their first “Show Your Love”campaign to feed local first responders ahead of the Valentine’s Day holiday earlier this month.
The idea stemmed from Cmdr. Dave Rogers’s “Cooking with a Veteran” live on social media, with the help of several auxiliary and post members.
Rogers brought his chili and spaghetti-and-meatballs recipes, and member George Barrett made the shepherd’s pie. Another member, Joe VanEmmerik, made cupcakes with his family for dessert, and Rogers couldn’t help himself but to make two additional apple pies. The food was distributed to the Patchogue Fire and Ambulance departments as well as the Long Island Against Domestic Violence shelter.
“Throughout the pandemic, the Patchogue VFW has
made it clear that they have not forgotten the hard work and dedication of the Patchogue Ambulance Company,” said chief Alec O’Leary. “For the past year and as recently as last week, the Patchogue VFW has been donating meals to our crews and members. They have shown that they truly appreciate our staff and volunteers during this exceptionally challenging year. It’s people like them that have really helped us all get through this together.”
“Since the start of the pandemic, our members have had to adapt and overcome the ever-changing situation and having people like the VFW show their appreciation to us was truly a great feeling,” added assistant chief Zac Griffin.
The event was made possible by donations from Steve Casleton, Harold Gubnitsky, Marcia McKinny and Belinda Ellis Cole, as well as the auxiliary members.
“It was very nice,” auxiliary member Nancy Barrett said. “It’s a really great feeling knowing we were helping our first responders and people in need. We worked together beautifully.”
“It was fun—we finished up and delivered around noon,” added Rogers, happy to finally have his crew back serving the community in person.
The post will host a similar event, but this time for the community, at a large fundraiser on St. Patrick’s Day. Rogers said he plans on making the classic corned beef and cabbage dish all for about $12 per meal. The option to pre-pay will be announced soon, he said.
“The meals provided were a welcomed surprise and provided our residents with a respite from cooking dinner Saturday evening,” added LIADV executive director Wendy Linsalata, noting that they were able to feed six adults and three children, with leftovers to be had. “We are very grateful for the ongoing support we receive from the Patchogue community and the VFW.”
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