Our Story

How It Started

A Conversation That Became a Program

Mission Meals grew out of a conversation. Comrade Tony Dulaney and Caryn Stinson had been talking about meal support for veterans — the kind of quiet, practical help that doesn't make headlines but makes a real difference in someone's week. Caryn suggested the idea and the name. That conversation became a program.

With the support of Post Commander Carl "Wes" Carrico and the Post Executive Committee, the program was formally approved and funded as a 90-day pilot initiative. Tony and Caryn took it from concept to operation, and have run it themselves — week in, week out — since the very first meal went out.

The original launch date was April 1, 2026. The program launched a full month early — March 1, 2026 — because the need was already there.

"Veterans should never feel abandoned by their community."

What We Believe

Not a Charity. A Community.

Mission Meals is not a handout program. It's a practical, dignified expression of the Legion's core commitment — that we take care of our own. Every veteran who receives a meal gets it with the full respect and gratitude of everyone at Post 9.

Every meal is cooked from scratch. Fresh ingredients. Full portions. Three items on every plate. No canned shortcuts, no processed food. We cook the way you'd cook for family — because that's what these veterans are.

And at $4.98 average cost per meal, we're proving that dignified, high-quality veteran support doesn't have to be expensive — it just requires people who care enough to show up.

The People Behind It

Program Leadership

👨‍🍳

Tony Dulaney

Program Coordinator

The operational backbone of Mission Meals. Tony manages logistics, kitchen operations, volunteer coordination, and has been present for every single meal prepared.

💡

Caryn Stinson

Program Co-Lead & Originator

Mission Meals started with Caryn's idea and the name she gave it. She has been the program's co-lead and driving creative force since day one.

🎖

Carl "Wes" Carrico

Post Commander

Post 9 Commander who championed the program through executive approval, secured initial pilot funding, and continues to support and advocate for Mission Meals' growth.

Growing Attention

People Are Taking Notice

Word is beginning to travel beyond Brunswick. Mission Meals has attracted interest from veteran-focused organizations at the regional and national level who see the program as a model worth replicating — a proof of concept that any Legion post with a kitchen and the will to use it can follow.

Post 9 launched a pilot. The data is real — 150 meals, $4.98 per plate, 10 weeks, never missed a Monday. That track record is opening doors. We'll share more as those conversations develop.

See the Full Program

The Replication Model

Mission Meals requires three things to run at any Legion post:

✓ A functional post kitchen
✓ 2–3 committed volunteers
✓ ~$75/week in food budget

That's it. Post 9 is the proof of concept.

A Conversation That Became a Program

The Numbers Don't Lie

Not a Charity. A Community.

Program Leadership

Tony Dulaney

Caryn Stinson

Carl "Wes" Carrico

People Are Taking Notice

Be Part of the Story