Alon USA personnel take a break from work to grab a bite to eat at the union hall adjacent to the refinery Thursday. Various business, church and civic organizations have agreed to provide free meals to workers of the refinery. (HERALD photo/Steve Reagan)

Alon personnel from across the country have been called to Big Spring to assist with efforts to help the refinery rebound from Monday’s devastating explosion.

The job facing the hundreds of workers is, to put it mildly, daunting, ranging from removing tons of shattered debris and replacing ruined equipment to handling the myriad other details associated with getting the plant back into operation.

But as the Alon personnel begin tackling the seemingly mountainous task, citizens and groups from the community have begun offering a helping hand.

The most obvious sign of that help Thursday came in the form of food.

Spearheaded by the Chamber of Commerce and Howard College, local businesses, churches and other organizations have agreed to feed the refinery’s employees and contractors in the coming weeks.

As refinery officials availed themselves of the offering — Thursday’s food was provided by the local Wells-Fargo bank — they expressed their gratitude.

“This has just been terrific,” Refinery Manager David Foster said. “We are so grateful to everybody. I’ve really been overwhelmed by the generosity of the community.”

Long-time refinery employee Verna Davis echoed Foster’s words.

“The community has really embraced the refinery and the workers and we really appreciate it,” Davis said. “It’s just another example of one person reaching out and helping another.”

Foster estimated that, aside from the 190 full-time employees — including contractors — another 60 or so Alon USA personnel from across the country are currently on site helping with rebuilding efforts.

Those who could spare a few minutes Thursday stopped by the union hall near the refinery to grab a bite to eat. Those who couldn’t had the food brought to them.

Gay Nell Walker of Universal Construction is currently leading a team of people who have been shuttling back and forth from the union hall, taking meals to workers.

“Without Gay Nell and her group, we could not get this done,” Davis said. “They are making our jobs a lot easier.”

Like the Alon personnel, Walker is putting in long hours on the job.

“I came in at 6 a.m. and I don’t look to get home before 8 p.m.,” she said. “But if this is what they need, we’ll do it. We can hold out that long.”

Walker said the workload is to be expected.

“We’re all working seven days a week, 12 hours a day and I haven’t heard one person complain,” she said. “I know people would rather be home with their families — so would I — but we’re going to be here until we don’t have to be here anymore.”

Any business, church or organization interested in providing a meal for workers should contact the chamber at 263-7641.

Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331, ext. 234 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it