Dennis T. Williams Post 310 has been providing weekly food distributions to the San Diego community for around 10 years, according to life member and two-term Post 310 Commander William Smith. That hasn’t changed since the coronavirus hit California.

But Post 310 has taken its community efforts a step further since the pandemic started, teaming up with the SD Hip Hop 5K & Festival and the San Diego Strike Force indoor football team to distribute more than 5,000 meals a week since the start of June to children ages 18 and under.

Smith said he was approached by leaders from the festival and the Strike Force about teaming up to provide what is normally around 1,700 meals to children in need. Each child receives both a hot meal and a cold meal packaged to go. Meals are passed out at Post 310 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Any leftovers are given to homeless members of the community.

“We had (Legion Family) members wanting to do something and get involved,” Smith said. “They jumped on this 100 percent.”

Legion Family members help distribute the food, as do members of the community. The recipients of the meals are “very grateful,” Smith said, adding that it was important for Post 310 to be a part of an effort like this one. “It’s more of our responsibility. We have a responsibility to the community. We want to make sure we’re out there. We host so many events that we bring the community into the post so they can see what The American Legion is about.”

Smith said the weekly food distributions from the post haven’t missed a beat. Every Saturday at 10 a.m. in its back parking lot, the post hands out fruits, vegetables and non-perishable food items to the community.

The Monday, Wednesday and Friday meal giveaways will continue at least through the end of June, but Smith said with the growing number of coronavirus cases in California, the effort may be needed much longer.

The service to community provided by Post 310 is nothing new. Its Legion Family also provides school supplies and backpacks for local students, as well as hosts volunteer appreciation events. “I always tell our members that it’s our responsibility to get out and make sure we take care of our kids, take care of our elders and those that are in need,” he said. “It’s one of the greatest things you can do as a commander and as a member of a post to make sure you give back. It’s our responsibility to do that.”