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Marblehead Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2005 hosted its second annual food drive for the Marblehead Food Pantry, drawing what organizers described as an overwhelming public response.
Commander Ronny Knight said the turnout reflected a growing commitment between the post and the community. “This benefit is part of our Community Service Program or CSP as we have given the title to,” he said.
Knight said the board of directors approved the effort and has been pleased with how the program has allowed the post to support charities in Marblehead and beyond, including veterans organizations and other community programs.
Ricky Broughton and Brian Wear provided musical entertainment during the event. As Broughton put it, “always great to play in ‘, The Bunker’ at the Post for a great cause we’re very happy to throw in our support for such an important event, it’s just sad in 2025 we have issues like hungry people within our community, but we want to help in any way possible, to play a gig hear is a no brainer to help out.”
Knight said the growth of the CSP has prompted other musicians to reach out about performing at the Bunker. “We’ve had a lot of bands that have reached out to us,” he said. “They have seen, and heard what we’re doing and what we have been able to accomplish in such a short time.” He added that the post wants to balance charity events with entertainment nights that “just enjoy a great night of music and support the Post/Bunker.”
Knight said many VFW posts in Massachusetts have struggled due to declining veteran membership and limited community engagement. “I am blessed with an awesome group of volunteers, and contributors that all have greatly assisted me as Commander some Veteran but mostly Non-Veteran, who have asked and said how can we support you, and what your trying to build,” he said.
He said the turnout for the food drive showed the program’s impact. “You see an event like this that help people within our community and has townspeople come out in droves some who have never been inside the VFW’s ‘Bunker’ and they state first happy to help, and thank you for doing this, and is this place open to the public and what event is up next, how can we help’? ‘We all know then we are really having an impact within our community’.”
