Melissa Blenker from the Portage Co. Ambassadors Club presents Purple Basil owners Taylor Okerlund and Carolina Corral with a certificate of appreciation as employee Tanner Andreae (center) looks on during the food truck's June 2023 ribbon cutting. (Metro Wire photo)

Purple Basil offering free dinner to vets on Veterans Day

By Brandi Makuski

A veteran-owned food truck turned local favorite is honoring fellow servicemembers this November by delivering free meals to homebound veterans who can’t attend Veterans Day celebrations.

Purple Basil is continuing its annual effort to give back to veterans this November by offering free meals to those unable to leave their homes or places of care.

Co-owners Taylor Okerlund and Carolina Corral, both U.S. Army veterans, and head chef Tanner Andreae, a former Marine, have led the initiative for three years.

“We focus on veterans who are homebound or have difficulties leaving their homes to get a free meal,” Okerlund said. “It’s our way of giving back to those who have served.”

The team, known for their food truck, which opened in 2021, expanded in June 2024 to a new space called the Purple Basil Terrace, located at 2860 Post Rd., the former location of Mission Coffee House. Business has been so strong that they hired Andreae to join their operation. All three are veterans of the United States Armed Forces.

The meal program allows veterans or their families and friends to nominate individuals who may not be able to visit restaurants for Veterans Day celebrations. Purple Basil prepares a spaghetti and meatball dinner, complete with marinara sauce, homemade meatballs, a vegetable, cookie, milk, and garlic bread.

“We tend to stick around and chat with them,” Okerlund said. “Older veterans really appreciate the company, and we’ve had quite a few repeat participants over the years.”

The initiative serves the Wisconsin Rapids area but extends to locations within a 25-mile radius, including Stevens Point and Plover. Last year, Purple Basil served over 20 veterans across Central Wisconsin, and they hope to reach even more in 2024.

Those interested in nominating a veteran or donating to the cause can visit the Purple Basil website. Donations of $10 cover the cost of one veteran’s meal, and a portion of proceeds from the restaurant’s food truck and catering services also go toward the program.

“We greatly appreciate the support,” Okerlund said. “Word of mouth has been the biggest spread for this, and we just want to keep building it year after year.”

For more information, visit purple-basil.com or email [email protected]. To nominate a local veteran, go to purple-basil.com/veteran-home-meals.