Grappa Ristorante to sponsor third annual Backpack Snack Attack fund raiser

WARWICK — The Backpack Snack Attack Program will hold another pre-Valentine's Day dinner/fund raiser on Monday, Feb. 10.

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

Since January 2009, elementary school children in this area have been taking advantage of Backpack Snack Attack, a program designed to insure that needy children always have enough to eat.

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

Program 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 approximately 300 children currently enrolled.

"To protect their identity the schools provide a number assigned to each needy child," explained Program Director Shirley Puett.

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.

There will be two seatings at 5:30 and 8 p.m. for the pre-Valentine's Day Dinner.

The menu will include salad, entrée, and dessert along with soft drinks and a cash bar.

The cost per person is $35 plus tax and gratuity, payable by cash or check. All proceeds benefit the Backpack Snack Attack Program.

Last year's dinner raised $8,000.

Reservations can be made through Grappa Ristorante, 987-7373.

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