O’Fallon VFW, food pantry among the many acts of kindness in city

While O’Fallon copes with the current public health crisis, acts of kindness have been ongoing as economic and health challenges are identified.

Local groups are seeking help and support for the most vulnerable residents, including the Sgt. Charles A. Fricke VFW Post 805 and the O’Fallon Community Food Pantry.

“I want to again compliment all of our citizens that have stepped up in this trying time to help their neighbors and just reaching out to help a neighbor, friend, first responder, health care worker and/or local business. I personally know a few individuals that performed the incredibly generous action of donating their entire stimulus checks to the O’Fallon Food Pantry or other need organizations. It is this type of action that helps make O’Fallon the great community that it is. And I cannot say thank you enough,” Mayor Herb Roach said in his weekly column.

Sgt. Charles A. Fricke VFW Post 805

At the forefront of making sure people are cared for during the stay-at-home mandate is O’Fallon VFW Post 805.

Through their advocacy for area veterans, the group pooled efforts for a Member Contact Drive that resulted in a large outreach and service to others initiative, according to Sharon Zinck, Auxiliary president. Both the VFW and Auxiliary were involved. Membership lists were distributed to more than 20 volunteers who attempted phone or email contact with more than 600 members.

“Through this effort we reconnected with members, updated contacts, and found out if they needed anything,” Zinck said. “Volunteers collaborated to gather and deliver needed items such as food, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, a commode chair. We mailed a pack of toilet paper to an Auxiliary member’s parent who is in an assisted living facility near Carbondale. In addition to their time, volunteers also donated their own money and supplies to those in need.”

“The process has been extremely gratifying and humbling. All in all, the process is renewing our faith in the health, resiliency and strength of our organization. Most of those we have contacted have outwardly volunteered and expressed a desire to help others. Bottom line ... One Team, One Fight,” said a statement posted on their Facebook page.

Post Commander Ed Martinez said the VFW Post is continuing to share information via email and Facebook so veterans can be made aware of programs that may be available to them.

“It was a good effort. We had enough volunteers so that each took 20-25 people to reach out to everybody,” he said. “Some of them signed up for our email notes to hear from us, that way they know what’s going on — they were so impressed with what we did.”

For those veterans who still need help, the VFW will be in touch. Or people can contact them at ofallonveterans@gmail.com, www.vfwpost805.org and/or 618-624-6575.

“Some vets don’t ever want to ask for help, but after one-on-one contact, they tell us, and we can make that happen,” Martinez said, noting they are delivering items to high-risk individuals.

Feedback, support has been outstanding

Zinck said the outpouring of help came as no surprise.

“Many of our members are service-oriented people who look for ways to help others. Some have made community service their career or are otherwise distinguished members of our community — chamber of commerce, aldermen, city commissioners,” she said.

“I am thrilled to have so much positive feedback from this effort, and very grateful for the many volunteers making calls and emails happen. If you didn’t get a phone call, update your information at the VFW National website: login, go to MYVFW tab, click Online Membership System, and update your info,” Zinck said.

“Some of us also attempted to call all of our Auxiliary members. If you are an Auxiliary member and didn’t get a call, we don’t have your correct contact information. Please message me personally or log on to the VFW Auxiliary website to update your information https://malta.vfwauxiliary.org/Account/NewLogin.

Many efforts are not formally organized.

“Some are things we’re all doing, like keeping in better contact with and reaching out to neighbors, friends, family. Putting people in touch with others who can provide needed items/services, helping support local businesses, donating blood, picking up and delivering items for people outside of Post membership,” she said.

And the humble nature of the givers has made it difficult to single them out for praise.

“There are a lot of people involved who don’t want credit for what they’re doing because it’s not about them,” Zinck said.

Protection masks available

To get high-protection masks made, using a specific sterilization wrap left over from local hospital operating rooms, two Auxiliary members have coordinated an effort.

Zinck said an Auxiliary member who is a seamstress successfully constructed N99-level protection masks that were fit-tested and approved by Memorial Hospital East in Shiloh.

“High-level protection masks were also personally donated by comrades and Auxiliary members who had them on hand to local funeral directors and nurses to help them stay protected. One Auxiliary member is cutting fabric as part of a large group effort —Scott AFB Masks Facebook Group. Another Auxiliary member is making 3-D printed mask bands/ear guards for nurses at the VA hospital, and a comrade is providing S-hooks to healthcare workers and first responders to be used as ear guards,” she said.

“All of this has been provided free of charge, with other members ready to donate to the cause if/when asked. Separately, a member donated money on behalf of the Post to The Joseph Center in East. St. Louis, for the purpose of purchasing masks so they could remain open to serve homeless veterans,” she said.

As a business, the VFW Post has had to close its bar operation. But management has been mindful of its effect on those employed there.

“A concerted effort has also been made to keep our Post operating and keep employees paid — even though the doors are closed — through applying for grants and special term loans to ease the loss of revenue,” Zinck said.

A blood drive has been organized for Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Post, 221 W. First St., but it is by appointment only, no walk-ins, Martinez said.

“We have 20 spots available, and 10 are already taken,” he said.

To book a time, click on this link: https://login.bloodcenter.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/85564.

“We want to take care of each other during these unsettling times,” Zinck said.

The Post is asking people to support local businesses, especially vendors and sponsors from their .1K Fun Run and the Bacon Fest events.

“If you are able to support them in any way, we would greatly appreciate it,” Martinez said.

O’Fallon Food Pantry

The food pantry is back open, offering drive-through only service at 801 E. State St. The lobby is closed. It serves those residents of O’Fallon and Shiloh in the 62269 zip code. Proof of address is needed, such as a utility bill. People can use the pantry once a month.

Current hours are Monday from 9 a.m. to noon, Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is operated by volunteers.

Among the items the pantry collects are canned food, toiletries, cleaning products, bread, desserts, meat and dairy, vegetables, pasta and other boxed goods.

Non-perishable food donations can be dropped off there or at the trailer on the First United Methodist Church parking lot.

Monetary donations can be made payable to the O’Fallon Food Pantry and sent to the O’Fallon Township Building: https://ofallontownship.org/services/food-pantry/.

VFW members were among those who helped bag up food items for distribution. The Post 805 Auxiliary also delivered two bags of collected items and donated $200 to the food pantry, Zinck said.

“The O’Fallon Food Pantry served needs 9,700 times last year. This year’s needs will be much greater,” said Brad Lewis, associate pastor of First United Methodist Church. “Donations of food and money are greatly appreciated to ensure no family in O’Fallon goes hungry.”

“Next time you are at the grocery store, pick up a few extra things and drop them at 1UMC on your way home. Easy, no-contact drop off — just put it in the trailer, which is open for drop-off donations Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The pantry continues to express the need for canned fruit, canned spaghetti/ravioli, chili beans, pork and beans, and diapers, Lewis said.

The O’Fallon Assembly of God Church at 1400 N. Green Mount Road is helping at the pantry.

Their church Compassion Project raised donations both for the food pantry as well as their Church Benevolence Fund.

This story was originally published April 21, 2020 at 10:10 AM.