KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Members of the military – both active duty and veterans – will soon be able to use Kansas City’s first food pantry geared specifically for their needs.
The pantry, located at the American Legion Tirey J. Ford Post 21, 16701 E U.S. 40 Highway in Independence, is set to open on Feb. 29.
Post Adjutant Tom Tanner said H.E.R.O.E.S. Care contacted Post 21 in November to ask if the legion could organize and run the pantry.
"We thought, well you know, what better place to start one than right here, we're a veteran organization and, taking care of veterans is our job," Tanner said.
The pantry already has items thanks to donations from Post 21 members. Tanner said he will work with Harvesters to keep it stocked as well.
"It's open to all active duty, retired, any veteran and national guard and army reserve personnel and their families," Tanner said. "They've got a lot of deployments going on so paychecks are kind of disrupted somewhat and there's always a need for the families."
Post 21 auxiliary president Lana Butler is among severa members who are volunteering to help run the pantry.
"We have families that are struggling and this is important; We want to feed them; We want to help them," Butler said. "If they get to the end of the month and they don't have food, we're going to be a source for them."
Volunteers are in need of more toiletries like diapers, baby wipes and toothbrushes.
Post 21 commander Mark Clark said while the items in the pantry are important, the pantry itself serves a much bigger purpose.
"We want those folks to know that they can come here and feel comfortable," Clark said. "Nobody's going to judge them. We're going to welcome them with open arms and we're going to do everything we can to help them."
Clark hopes the pantry will be a jumping off point to get more veterans and military members involved at the Legion.
Vietnam War era veteran Bruce Butler has been a member for years and is volunteering with his wife, Lana, to run the pantry.
"I know there's a need out there for this," Butler said. "It's great to be able to help my brothers and sisters that serve."
Butler wants to encourage any military members and veterans to get involved at the Legion. He said the members have a lot of support to offer, and they're not going anywhere.
"That's what we're here for," Butler said.
The grand opening for the pantry is scheduled for 9 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 29 at 9 a.m. at Tirey J. Ford Post 21.
It will be open on the last Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to noon. However, Clark said if a veteran or family member is in need they can always contact them.
"They don't have to wait until the last Saturday, if they're in need now we want to hear about that so we can try to help them," Clark said.
Those who use the pantry must show some form of identification such as an active duty military card, VA card, driver's license with a veteran stamp, DD form 214, or retired military ID card.
