PORTAGE COUNTY—Carolina Corral and Taylor Okerlund, owners of Purple Basil, are ensuring veterans in the Central Wisconsin area are given a warm meal on Veterans Day.
Carolina and Taylor are veterans themselves, having met in 2012 while serving in the Army, before eventually getting married. Carolina served for six years in Texas, Colorado, and overseas. Taylor served for four years active duty and two years in the Wisconsin National Guard.
Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, opening a business was in Carolina’s blood. Prior to her time in the Army, she earned her degree in Culinary Arts from South Texas College and furthered her career in California as a chef.
While in the Army, Carolina looked for any opportunity she could to cook for her fellow co-workers and friends. Taylor experienced a range of culinary culture across his time serving in San Antonio, Colorado Springs, and overseas. He discovered a passion for mobile accessibility to food blended with flavor and unique culture.
Following their time in the Army, Taylor and Carolina moved back to Central Wisconsin where Taylor was born and raised.
Purple Basil was formed in 2020, with the business adding a food truck in 2021.
The creation of Purple Basil came from a lack of food trucks in the area, especially of Italian cuisine. “Food trucks have already been in big cities for ten to fifteen years. But at the time, they were still not very popular in this area. So, we did some research and realized there were not a lot of options for Italian food in this area, especially in food trucks.” Carolina said.
Every year, Carolina and Taylor saw other businesses offering free meals to veterans on Veterans Day. But the couple wondered what the veterans who couldn’t leave their homes could receive. Whether they be sick, unable to leave their residence, or believe they don’t deserve a free meal—Carolina and Taylor wanted to ensure every veteran could be recognized.
When Carolina’s father was in hospice care, she realized how much little things had meant to him—like his favorite foods and company. In an effort to connect with local veterans, Carolina had begun to remember how meaningful that time had been with her father in hospice care, and she began to wonder if she could provide that feeling of comfort, company, and food to veterans.
“We thought about those veterans that cannot leave their place of care that are in hospice or are immobile, are in home care that they cannot leave. During Veterans Day there are a lot of places that offer free meals, celebrations, and stuff.” Carolina said. “So we just wanted to give something to those veterans that might feel forgotten and might not be able to go out. A lot of the older veterans always feel like they don't deserve anything, but we just want to remind them that they do—that we still, as the younger generation remember them and thank them for their service and for everything they have done for us.”
The program, Home Meals for Veterans, is entering its fifth year. At no cost to the veteran, they can receive a Veterans Day meal of spaghetti and meatballs, a slice of garlic bread, and soup. A group of volunteers help deliver the Purple Basil meals directly to the homes of area veterans. In 2025, Purple Basil served 75 veterans through the Home Meals for Veterans program.
Throughout the history of the Home Meals for Veterans program, Carolina described receiving a number of thank you cards and stories of gratitude. “The spouse of a veteran said she saw the change in her husband from getting this meal and him feeling appreciated. So that's the greatest feeling, the accomplishment in knowing that just a simple meal is touching veterans' hearts and that they feel appreciated.” Carolina said.
Veterans Day is always meaningful to Carolina and Taylor, beyond their work giving back to veterans in the community.
“Veterans Day means a lot. I’m the first woman in both sides of my family to have ever been in the service. My brother is a Marine Corps veteran, but I’ve been the only female in my family.” Carolina said. For Taylor, serving in the Army was a decision that he said, “Significantly enriched my life.” Taylor isn’t the only veteran in his family, with his grandfather having served in World War Two.
Purple Basil hopes to connect with more and more veterans each year, in order to show their appreciation and care for veterans in the Portage County community.
To sign up or sign up a veteran for Home Meals for Veterans, go to Purple Basil’s website and fill out a registration form, https://purple-basil.com/home-meals-for-veterans.
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