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VFW packs free lunches for kids, elderly in Westover and Granville

Veterans of Foreign Post 9916 provide food for kids, elderly

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9916, in Westover, is providing free bag lunches for the elderly and kids in the Westover and Granville area.

“I’m actually afraid that if we weren’t delivering to people, they might not have lunch,” said Tammy Rose, manager.

Demand has steadily increased since the VFW started March 23, Rose added. That first day, 70 meals were handed out, and 130 were handed out Monday.

The meals can be picked up from noon-3p.m. at the VFW on Holland Avenue or delivered by volunteers, Rose said. To get one, call 304-296-5981.

Each meal contains a sandwich, two pieces of fruit, a bag of chips, condiments and napkins, Rose said. Tuesday, the meals included turkey sandwiches.

Rose said donations of fruit or monetary donations would be appreciated. The program is funded through individual donations, and the VFW has also contributed.

“If people want to bring by fruit, fruit is what’s expensive,” Rose said. “A loaf of bread is 88 cents.”

Delivery is no contact — volunteers bring the meal to the door, knock and leave, Rose said. Pick-up orders are delivered directly to a person in their vehicle outside of the VFW. Just pull up and beep.

The VFW is a volunteer organization, and after Gov. Jim Justice’s stay-at-home order, Rose said they decided to help the community.

“So we just decided, you know, there are people in need,” Rose said. “We didn’t realize how many was in need.”

Rose said there are eight volunteers. But while there are a lot of lunches that need prepared and delivered, because of COVID-19, she wants to keep the crew limited to those eight.

men pack a van with lunches
Jeff Friend, left, and Jeff Nicholson at the VFW in Westover load van to deliver lunches to Westover and Granville.

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