Tucson Post 109 donates $4,500 to assist program that provides meals for children on weekends and during school breaks.
Department of Arizona Legionnaire John Cuddy admits to not having to worry about where his next meal was coming from when he was growing up. But he said other members of American Legion Post 109 in Tucson did.
That’s why the post didn’t hesitate when it found out a local food pantry that provides meals for local schoolchildren facing food insecurity on weekends and during school breaks was in need of funds.
Post 109 stepped up, donating $4,500 to the Greater Vail Community ReSources Food Pantry’s Weekend Backpack Program, which provides easy-to-fix weekend and vacation meals for local children in families facing financial hardship.
“I can speak personally: I had plenty of food growing up, but I didn’t have new clothes, firsthand clothes, until I joined the Navy,” said Cuddy, who handles public relations for Post 109. “But a lot of folks who join the military today are from low-income or moderate-income families. A lot of our active-duty military and a lot of our veterans … experienced food insecurity themselves when they were growing up. A lot of our members had that experience. And the members of Post 109 understand that there are a lot of families in America today wondering where their next meal is coming from.”
The post became aware of the food pantry’s need for additional funds to purchase food when it received a letter from Callie Tippett, Greater Vail Community Resources’ director of development and community outreach. Tippet wrote that the food pantry’s greatest need was keeping pace with the growth of the Weekend Backpack Program. “We started last school year at 157 children served and ended the school year serving 330 children,” Tippet wrote. “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.”
Post 109 Commander Andre Koster and Vice Commander Roosevelt presented the check to Tippet in September. “They were very, very appreciative of the check,” Cuddy said. “And some of the food actually went to active-duty families stationed at nearby Davis–Monthan Air Force Base. Nobody who is serving in the military should have to worry about where their or their children’s next meal’s coming from.”
On its Facebook page, the food bank thanked Post 109, writing, “This timely support will provide 450 weekend meal bags for children in our community, providing each kiddo with 6 meals and snacks to last the weekend! We are sending out a huge thank you to all out friends at Post 109! As always, you are our heroes!”
Cuddy said the donation is way for Post 109 to follow the Children & Youth mission that is part of the Legion’s four pillars. “My post is focused on the four pillars,” he said. “We send a large number of boys and girls to Boys and Girls State. We’re no reinventing the wheel. We’re following the official Legion program, and giving to your local food pantry falls very easily under Children & Youth.”
- Community