Backpack Snack Attack fund raiser generates more than $7,000

WARWICK — On Monday evening, Feb. 10, The Backpack Snack Attack pre-Valentine's Day dinner/fund raiser raised more than $7, 000. All proceeds will go towards the program.

The event, supported by many local businesses, organizations and individuals, was hosted and sponsored by Grappa Ristorante at 22 Railroad Ave. in the Village of Warwick.

More than 150 people attended the dinner, the results of which, combined with raffle ticket sales, exceeded the fund raiser's $7,000 goal.

Nearly 300 children benefit
For the past five years elementary school children in this area have been taking advantage of Backpack Snack Attack, a charitable program designed to insure that needy children always have enough to eat.

The program is available to public elementary schools in Warwick, Florida, Pine Island and Greenwood Lake.

Volunteers stuff backpacks with food for needy children to enable them to eat at home on weekends and during the summer when the free breakfast and lunch meals they receive at school are not available.

There are almost 300 children currently enrolled.

The backpacks, with individually sized and ready to eat or microwave-ready food items are sent home with the children every Friday and returned to the schools the following Monday.

Guests at the pre-Valentine's Day dinner enjoyed salad, entrée, and dessert along with soft drinks and a cash bar.

Community support
"We would like to add a special thank you to Tony and Nick and the rest of the Grappa staff for hosting this event," said Back Pack Snack Attack volunteer Len Singer. " Grappa Ristorante has hosted this event for three years. They donate all the food and the staff volunteers their time to support this event."

Singer also added that the members of the organization would also like to recognize and thank their business partners for making this third annual event so successful.

As an example he pointed out that Michelle Mongno from Seiko Watch Corporation has donated two watches each year for the past three years in support of the raffle held at the fund raiser. This year's watches were valued at $450 each.

Essential information
For additional information about the BackPack Attack program visit: www.warwickreformedchurch.org.