American Legion Post 102 of Rockford, Mich., in cooperation with St. Stephens Evangelical Lutheran Church, hosted their first Mobile Food Pantry from the Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank two days before Thanksgiving 2009.

Over 40 Legion members were assisted by 30 Boy Scouts from Troops 264, 282 and 228.

In a brief ceremony prior to distributing the food, Post Commander Tom Plaska presented a check in the amount of $1,300.00 to Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank. Dena Rogers who was on hand to represent the food bank, accepted the check. The $1,300.00 check was given as a token of the American Legion post’s commitment to assisting community members in need though the Mobile Pantry Program, as long as the need exists.

In all the post divided and distributed 5,133 pounds of food to 108 families, consisting of over 354 family members.

Plaska applauded the volunteers and reminded them that the American Legion’s success depends entirely upon active membership, participation and volunteerism. And that the organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.

Clyde Sinclair, chairman of the community relations committee of Post 102, thanked the many members of the community who stepped up to assist. ”It is only through the efforts of the community that projects such as the mobile food pantry can be successful. A number of businesses, when asked, have stepped forward with needed resources. The Legion is very grateful for the assistance of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Red’s on the River, D&W Food Market, Meijer, DVS Trucking and Alloy Exchange who all contributed in some manner to the success of this project.”

Learn more about Mobile Food Pantries at www.wmgleaners.org/mobile.html