Ely American Legion Post 248 debuted a newly- built community food trailer on Friday, Aug. 21, which will now become a feature around Ely, Tower and Babbitt.
The trailer may sell brats, burgers, chicken wings, Philly cheesesteak and more at regional events and in local businesses’ parking lots.
“You’re going to see us in the public,” said post adjutant Dave Franks. “We’re back. The American Legion is going to be stepping up into the public eye for public programs, and we’re proud to do it.”
All revenue generated through the food sales will support Post 248’s charitable efforts, which include the American Legion baseball tournament, Boys State programming and scholarships for Ely high school students.
The local Legion has also donated money to veterans’ causes and Veterans on the Lake Resort, as well as events hosted by the Ely Public School District, United Way of Northeastern Minnesota and more.
Michael Feng, CEO of TYRE Kitchens on Wheels, began the custom build process nearly a year ago after Franks approached him with the idea for the trailer.
“Right off the bat, I had a feeling this was going to be a very exciting and different opportunity,” Feng said.
Post 248 managed to raise thousands of dollars in the year and a half they have been working toward the trailer, boosted by an approximately $24,497 grant from the IRRRB.
Members knocked on doors, organized raffles and sourced in-house donations.
Ely’s Legion membership numbers have seen a significant increase in recent years, Franks said. Last fall, Post 248’s other adjutant, Gerald Tyler, wrote that the local Legion counted about 105 members within its ranks.
“Two months ago, I came to a meeting and we had four new members there, and then last month we had another five or six new members, and (we’ve) got nine more signed up,” said Post 248 finance officer Tom Clingerman.
Clingerman said the Ely American Legion’s purchase of the truck may further boost their presence in the community — and also their roster.
“Everybody wants to be a part of something that’s doing the job. The more you do the job, the more the word gets out,” Clingerman said.
Tyler wrote that Post 248 is “dedicated to enhancing the well-being of Ely, Babbitt, Tower and Soudan area veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.”
The American Legion as a whole aims to serve veterans and their families by advocating for pro-veteran policies, building community and providing resources.
Local American Legions around the country often host food-based events and businesses to fundraise for their operations or charity efforts. These efforts may materialize as a pancake dinner, picnic gathering or even a permanent bar.
Prior to their acquisition of the trailer, Post 248 had not run a business or bar for many years.
Even membership dues, which cost $45 annually, do not cover the Legion’s administrative expenses, Tyler wrote last year. Only $2.50 of that amount funnels back to the local chapter after paying the $42.50-per-member dues to the state Legion organization.
Franks said Legion members are excited to bring the trailer into the community to help support Post 248’s charitable efforts.
“We’ll get out there, invite the public to support, eat some good food and generate money to support those programs the Post decides to donate money to,” Franks said. “It’s a really good thing.”
