ELY — The American Legion Post 248 received a brand-new food trailer Friday, Aug. 21, which will begin making appearances at events around the Ely area next spring to generate revenue for local veterans and the post’s community programs.
Gerald Tyler, adjutant of American Legion Post 248, said the trailer will likely make its first appearance on Memorial Day next spring, but it could also see some use this fall.
Tyler hopes the food trailer will become a mainstay at Ely events and provide a steady source of revenue that the Legion can put towards charitable causes. “Our Community Food Trailer will be crucial to the ongoing efforts and challenges faced by the veterans of Ely Post 248 to continue its support of veteran causes, local charities, Ely school scholarships, civic programs and Legion Baseball,” reads a statement on the post’s Facebook page.
Tyler said the idea for the trailer came from members of the post last April, who were looking for new ways to raise money and expand its ability to support local causes.
“There is never enough revenue to take care of veterans’ families,” Tyler said.
After the IRRRB offered a matching grant, the post was able to raise enough additional funds to build the trailer. The grant helped turn the idea into a reality while allowing the post to preserve funds for its other programs and charitable efforts.
“We thank all the folks that donated to the food trailer fund,” Tyler said.
The trailer was custom-built by TYRE Kitchens On Wheels in St. Paul and was personally delivered to Ely by company CEO Michael Feng.
Tyler expects the trailer to be serving traditional fare, including “bratwurst, burgers, and fries.”
Over the next several weeks, the Legion will finish outfitting, stocking, and decorating the trailer, as well as training the volunteers who will operate it. The post hopes to have the trailer ready to serve the community when the event season begins next spring.