Vermillion Medical Clinic Makes Donation to Weekend Backpack Food Program

The physicians and staff of Vermillion Medical Clinic presented Vermillion Weekend  Backpack Program with a check in the amount of $2,500. 

Weekend Backpack Program is a non-profit organization managed through Feeding Vermillion that provides  nutritious meals and snacks to students in Vermillion before each weekend of the school year. According to  John Lushbough, the director of Feeding Vermillion, “The program serves approximately 250 students each  week, and that includes those that use Tanager Takeout.” K-12 students in all Vermillion schools are eligible  including Head Start and St. Agnes. To register call 211, visit Feeding Vermillion’s website or ask the school  for a registration form. Feeding Vermillion also manages Tanager Takeout, a food pantry located in Vermillion  High School and the Welcome Table which provides a warm, nutritious meal to anyone every Tuesday. 

The physicians and staff at Vermillion Medical Clinic voted to award the donation to the Weekend Backpack  program. Lushbough said of the donation, “It’s a Godsend, this will help so many people.” The Weekend  Backpack program and Tanager Takeout rely heavily on donations for support. Lushbough said they are a  United Way agency and do partner with Feeding South Dakota to purchase food and supplies at substantial  savings, there is also a lot of cooperation with the local food pantry. 

Lushbough has been leading Feeding Vermillion since 2001 and said, “There are a lot of people in need and this  [Backpack Program] is something we can do to help.”