CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Dozens of veterans in Cheyenne received mouth-watering meals Monday morning as part of an annual program to feed military vets.
Around 20 veterans and active-duty military personnel spent Monday morning delivering meals to nearly 60 veterans across Cheyenne for Veterans Day. The free meals stem from a partnership between Meals on Wheels of Cheyenne and Applebee’s in an effort to honor vets.
Meals on Wheels has been partnering with Applebee’s to deliver food such as bacon cheeseburgers, chicken platters and salads, shrimp and sirloins. Marketing director Miea Levery with Hannay Restaurant Group — which owns and operates the Cheyenne Applebee’s — reached out to Brand, who formerly worked at the eatery. Levery asked Brand if Meals on Wheels would want to participate in a program honoring veterans. The two have been coordinating with each other to deliver dozens of meals to veterans since 2022.
Several volunteers were with the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association 36-2. Member Alan Stoinski, who served in the Air Force, delivered his first meal for the Meals on Wheels initiative Monday. Stoinski’s participation was driven by his group’s mission of “vets helping vets.”
“This gives us an opportunity to give back to our veterans, because we’re veterans ourselves, and that’s our whole mission,” Stoinski said. He has found other ways to give back to local veterans, such as building access ramps, holding fundraisers and working on remodeling projects.
Stoinski delivered a chicken platter to Kent Lathrop, who served in the Navy from 1978 to 1983. Lathrop doesn’t drive anymore, so a home-delivered meal from a fellow vet means a lot to him.
“They’ve been doing it for the last three or four years, so I appreciate what they do for me,” Lathrop said.
Around 20% of Meals on Wheels of Cheyenne’s clientele are veterans, said Rhianna Brand, events & program coordinator with the organization. Many of those patrons are homebound or have difficulties leaving their homes, she said. This fact makes the organization’s annual meal program all the more important.
It’s not just hamburgers and chicken veterans received Monday. South High School students hand-made cards with endearing messages and graphics to go along with the veterans’ grub.
“People, like the ones that we’re serving today, that’s the reason that we have the securities that we live with,” Stoinski said. “They provide that blanket of freedom that we provide. And that’s what we appreciate.”
