Grappa Ristorante raises $2,600 for Backpack Snack Attack
WARWICK — Grappa Ristorante held a food festival earlier this month, along with musical entertainment to celebrate the spring opening of its outdoor patio in the courtyard on Railroad Avenue.
Backpack Snack Attack volunteers as well as Grappa patrons and others were invited to the complimentary barbecue, which featured a large variety of salads, jumbo shrimp with cocktail sauce, special meat, fish and vegetable dishes as well as traditional hamburgers served with wine or beer.
For the past six 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. Approximately 300 children are currently enrolled.
Grappa Ristorante partners Tony Sylaj and Nick Ahmetaj are strong supporters of the program.
That evening there was a suggested donation of $20 per person for Backpack Snack Attack. The proceeds from those donations along with a 50/50 raffle came to $2,601. Linda Kurtz of Warwick won the raffle prize of $261.
Last year the event raised over $4,000 but this year unseasonably cool weather resulted in a lower turnout for this outdoor event.
Grappa not only donated all the food and beverages for the barbecue but all staff members volunteered their time. And the live entertainment groups, "Strings Attached" and "Peter and Friends" performed free of charge. Some of the regular customers and friends even helped out with the barbecue.
"I am continually overwhelmed by the generosity of the Town of Warwick community," said Backpack Snack Attack Program Director Shirley Puett. "The people of this town understand the importance of helping others. Specifically, Tony Sylaj and Nick
Ahmetaj are not only willing participants in our fundraising efforts but initiate ideas that allow Backpack Snack Attack to benefit from their wonderful restaurant."
Puett presented Sylaj and Ahmetaj with a certificate recognizing that in just this last year their generosity helped provide 3000 meals to needy children in this area.
For additional information about the Backpack Snack Attack program visit: www.warwickreformedchurch.org.