Backpack Snack Attack raises $2,458 at Reformed Church Advent concert

WARWICK — On Sunday, Dec. 1, the annual Advent Concert was held at the Warwick Reformed Church.

The event, open to the public, was free but a generous free will offering, totaling $2,458 was collected to benefit Backpack Snack Attack.

Since January 2009, elementary school children in this area have been taking advantage of this local charitable program designed to insure that they always have enough to eat.

It's called the Backpack Snack Attack and it's supported by many local businesses.

The Warwick Reformed Church on Maple Avenue originated this program, available to public elementary schools in Warwick, Florida, Pine Island and Greenwood Lake.

Program volunteers stuff backpacks with food for needy children to enable them to eat at home on weekends when the free breakfast and lunch meals they receive at school are not available. Currently the organization feeds over 300 children.

To protect their identity the schools provide a number assigned to each needy child. The backpacks, with individually sized and ready to eat or microwave ready food items are then sent home with the children every Friday and returned to the schools the following Monday.

The Advent concert featured Latin Grammy nominee 3D Ritmo de Vida with guest vocalist Chris Alfinez, who has been a back-up singer for Marc Anthony and Tiffany T'Zelle.

The well-known band plays at many different venues in the Hudson Valley including Warwick's Dautaj Restaurant.

"The concert was inspiring and fun," said Backpack Snack Attack Executive Director Shirley Puett, "And we are thankful to everyone."