VERMILLION, S.D. (KTIV) – One Vermillion business stepped up time and time again over the years.
A local coffee shop is donating all proceeds to a local food pantry that were earned on Tuesday.
Staff at Scooter’s work to fuel customers’ days one coffee at a time, but Tuesday was a different brew, going to feed students.
With every purchase of coffee, that money is going right back into the Vermillion community.
“We’re grateful for their partnership,” said Hector Gallardo-Duarte, President, of Charlie’s Cupboard.
All proceeds go to Charlie’s Cupboard, an on-campus food pantry that’s free and open to all University of South Dakota students.
“The majority of the food comes from feeding South Dakota. We order food from them at a cheap cost and that money, it comes from donors,” said Gallardo-Duarte.
Maren Miller, Store Manager of Scooter’s Coffee says getting involved with the community is a core part of the Scooters company.
Miller said, “Our owners Travis and Kristen are alumni of the university, and so when they started the food pantry here, we thought it was a really good opportunity to donate back to the university.”
The cupboard works to fight food insecurity at the college level, always running low on food after students visit the line.
Julia Platt, Media Manager, Charlie’s Cupboard said, “When you see that line each week lined up right before the cupboard opens, it’s I feel like you get to see a lot of like direct impact in terms of like helping your community.”
Gallardo-Duarte explained more about USD food insecurity, “Students usually cut corners, like if I’m going to be able to eat this week, I might not be able to buy deodorant or toothpaste. That is a common way of food insecurity that a lot of people don’t recognize.”
Last year, Scooter’s raised $4,243 for the cupboard, and wants to top that this year.
“By their efforts alone, it pretty much covered a couple of months’ worth of food just by itself,” Gallardo-Duarte said. He continued, “We offer a good alternative to the older students who don’t go with the standard meal plan. And they can save money by using our resources.”
Miller said they are happy to get on board for a good cause, “People really appreciate that we don’t have to do this, but we choose to because we want to actually give back to the community that keeps us running.”
It’s students who also volunteer their time when it comes to running the food pantry.
“As students to give back to our community, we see the direct impact within our community. Because when you give your time, your money when you do that, you’re really helping the students around you,” said Platt. She continued, “We try to make sure that we have a lot of fresh fruits and veggies available for people, making sure that they have access to those things is important. I think onions have been one of our most popular products within the past year.”
There is no limit on the number of times per month a visitor could use the cupboard.
The Cupboard pop-ups at the University Continuing Education Building #114, West of North Complex on Mondays from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Thursdays from 4 to 6:00 p.m.
Donations can be dropped off at the Student Organization Room located in the Muenster University Center, the break area in the Knudson Law School, and the atrium of Lee Medical Center, and are picked up weekly.
If you have any questions, contact [email protected].
For community members in Vermillion, anyone needing resources outside of the university can find support from Feeding Vermillion located at the Community Connection Center.
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