American Legion Post 109 Donates $4,500 to Feed Vail’s Schoolchildren

Greater Vail Community ReSources accepted a check for $4,500 from McCulloch-Wagner American Legion Post 109 in Tucson, Ariz., on Tuesday, Sept. 19, at the post. The funds will be used to help make sure Vail’s children have plenty to eat on weekends and during school vacations. Accepting the funds for the food bank were Susan Summers, Liana Hicks and Regina Teadmann; presenting were Post 109 Commander Andre Koster and Vice Commander Roosevelt McKnight.
According to Callie Tippett, director of development and community outreach, currently the greatest need is keeping pace with the growth of the weekend backpack meals program. Callie, in a letter to the post, writes, “We started last school year at 157 children served and ended the school year serving 330 children. We have started the new school year serving 338 children and as of this week are proving weekend meal backpacks to 362 children. Right now, the number is increasing a few children each week.
"This program requires compact, shelf-stable food that can be prepared without adult supervision. Sometimes these items are donated, but to serve the number of children shown above, we need to purchase food in bulk. Monetary donations are currently the most effective way to serve these children! We have just launched a 'Fill a Backpack' fundraiser to keep pace with the growing need.”
Our Legion Family pulled together to help meet the needs of the children of the Vail community. American Legion Post 109 invites all veterans, of all ranks, serving in all eras, with all branches, to join The American Legion and help us serve both our community and brother and sister veterans and their families.