A local partnership to help feed military families in the Belleville area has received a national U.S. Air Force award that recognizes ommunity engagement.
Scott Air Force Base submitted “A Community of Caring” as its entry this year to highlight the “dignified dining” tokenized meal program collaboration in support of airmen and families experiencing food insecurity.
The Abilene Trophy is awarded annually to the community in the Air Mobility Command that is considered the most supportive of its local Air Force Base. Formally known as the Air Mobility Command Community Support Award, it has been given since 1998.
This is the fourth time Scott AFB has received the traveling trophy of a bronze sculpture of an American bald eagle in flight. It was honored in 2012, 2014 and 2021.
Soulcial Kitchen, a restaurant/food truck park/hospitality operation in the metro-east, partnered with the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois in 2023 to use their innovative approach to help active-duty service members, which is reported to be as high as 26% facing hardships, at Scott Air Force Base.
It’s an innovative blueprint that respects military service in a sustainable and impactful way, said Kyle Anderson, president of the Leadership Council. He is impressed with its simplicity and effectiveness.
“The success of this initiative goes beyond the numbers; it is about the spirit of giving and the bonds formed between the local community and those who choose to serve in uniform,” Anderson said.
At Soulcial Kitchen in Swansea, a 2.5-acre commercial food, drink and entertainment campus, retired Air Force Brigadier General John Michel and his wife, Holly, established the Currency of Caring program in 2022. To date, they have served nearly 17,000 meals and have expanded into Madison County.
For Scott AFB, the number of free hot meals is 1,700, Michel said.
“Almost a quarter of our military men and women who willingly don a uniform lack consistent access to basic sustenance. It’s an uncomfortable reality,” Michel said.
“Since the program’s rollout, the impact has been profound. Whether it was a freshly grilled burger from a local food truck, a taco from a local favorite Mexican restaurant, a comforting bowl of chili, or a hearty sandwich or healthy salad, each meal has represented more than just food— it is a message of love from the community that says, ‘We see you. We appreciate you. We care for you,’” he said.
“This is a simple way of making a tangible difference in someone’s life who may be struggling with food insecurity or other hardships,” he said. “For those who serve, a hot meal is more than just food—it’s a moment of respite, a taste of home, a symbol of care from the community they protect.”
People can purchase a unique token, which gifts those in need with a hot meal redeemable at any of the participating restaurant or food truck community partners. The Currency of Caring tokens can be purchased online too.
Michel said the dining initiative also creates an economic incentive for food truck operators and local restaurants to participate.
Each participating food preparer is paid to serve anyone who presents a currency of caring token with an entree, side and drink of choice, no questions asked, Michel said. The value is estimated at $8.
Ideas and enthusiasm tumble out when either John E. Michel or David Stidham — co-owners of Soulcial Kitchen — speak about their ambitious plans and food concepts that are about much more than feeding a crowd. They are excited to bring the first food truck park to the metro-east, which will be located at 127 North Belt East in Swansea. Both devout Christians, Michel and Stidham knew they wanted to incorporate helping those less fortunate. Their philanthropy will include Currency of Caring, a dining meal-token program. Provided
The Leadership Council is working with local chamber of commerce organizations to get more restaurants involved. Currently, that number is 26.
“Our businesses have really stepped it up. This is a great connection, working together as a group,” he said.
Anderson said this partnership goes beyond just providing meals. It also focuses on the community’s depth of care and compassion for its military members and their families, Anderson said.
“It brings comfort, relief and a sense of camaraderie to the men and women stationed at Scott AFB, enhancing their morale during challenging times,” he said. “They enjoy more than just sustenance—it has provided a sense of normalcy and appreciation to those airmen and family members in need.”
“Feed It Forward” gives local law enforcement, first responders and military leaders tokens so they can distribute them to those in need, fostering support and nourishment.
Anderson said the proposal started with the 375th Wing Leadership team, and the program was administered by first sergeants in every unit on base. He explained that a sergeant could take an airman aside, invite him to join him for a meal, and they could talk over problems.
“The first sergeants oversee the well-being of their men, and they can use the tokens as they need them. It addresses so much more than eating lunch,” he said.
Michel said the success at Scott AFB demonstrates the potential of the Currency of Caring to be a replicable model for other military bases and communities across the country, as evidenced by the recent adoption of this model by the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana.
“Our dream is every military base, every branch, and every service, will one day embrace the transformative potential of this model that demonstrates first-hand the positive power of community – partnership and purpose,” Michel said.
Master Chef Lasse Sorensen and his Food Is Love Productions Inc. have joined forces with John Michel’s Soulcial Kitchen’s Currency of Caring program to better serve the underserved.
Emphasizing the community-driven nature of their new initiatives, the chef and the general continue to collaborate with volunteers, donors and partners across the region. Among their other local projects are Love Thy Neighbor Free Food Trucks, the Food on the Move Free Mobile Grocery Trailer, and the Produce Blessing Box Initiative.
“This is for the greater good, it’s a higher purpose, and will make the community richer,” Sorensen says. “Food can be a catalyst for change.”
Another aspect of their giving to those in need is Soulcial Kitchen’s Feed Thy Neighbor Program. Every time they collect 100 donated tokens, they work with local community leaders to identify people, groups and organizations most in need. They will then deliver 100-125 free, hot, made-to-order meals in hard-to-reach communities from their participating food truck partners.
For more information on the dignified dining program, visit https://www.currencyofcaring.com/.
