Lufkin VFW builds pantry for Day of Service

LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) - Saturday, the Lufkin VFW post expanded its food pantry to help not only homeless veterans but the entire community. The project is part of the National VFW Day of Service.

National VFW Day of Service was started in 2020. Since then, more VFW’s in East Texas have followed suit and designated one day to do a service project for their communities.

Post Commander for the Lufkin VFW Ashley Bratton said they started this campaign two years ago.

“There are VFW posts all over the country, certainly around the State of Texas, but all over the country as well, that have their own projects based on their own community, their own needs, their own resources,” Bratton said.

The Lufkin VFW decided their service project would be to expand their existing food pantry for the homeless population in the city. They bought a storage shed to put all of the items in.

“We had a smaller cabinet here in the back, but we realized there is probably a bigger need, and we certainly had a lot of food, but we also thought about what we were actually offering to be helpful,” Bratton said.

They still offer nonperishable food items, including canned goods, rice and pasta. They now also have blankets, toiletries, clothing and mats that can be used for sleeping.

“Hopefully just covering a lot of possible needs, possible basics where the things a lot of us take for granted. When you are homeless or home uncertain those things come in handy just to have a decent quality of life,” Bratton said.

Bratton said anyone in need is able to take what they need from the pantry.

“We’re aware that there are problems out there, and we as part of our ongoing service to our brothers and sisters in arms but as well as our community, we saw there was a need,” Bratton said.

The pantry is at the Lufkin VFW at 1800 Ford Chapel Road. The pantry is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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