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Town Board names August Backpack Snack Attack Back to School Month

| 24 Jul 2017 | 03:30
    Photo by Roger Gavan Among Backpack Snack Attack's biggest supporters is the Grappa Ristorante on Railroad Avenue in the Village of Warwick. Picgured are: Backpack Snack Attack volunteers Len Singer (left) and Arlene Neiman deliver fund-raising materials to Grappa partners Nick Ahmetaj and Tony Sylaj.
    Photo by Roger Gavan Among Backpack Snack Attack's biggest supporters is the Grappa Ristorante on Railroad Avenue in the Village of Warwick. Picgured are: Backpack Snack Attack volunteers Len Singer (left) and Arlene Neiman deliver fund-raising materials to Grappa partners Nick Ahmetaj and Tony Sylaj.

WARWICK — On Thursday evening, July 20, the Warwick Town Board again officially proclaimed the month of August "Backpack Snack Attack Back to School Month."
Backpack Snack Attack is a non-profit organization that provides nutritional snacks to more than 280 needy school children throughout the Town of Warwick each week of the school year. Each child costs approximately $5 per week so the weekly cost is about $1,400 per week.
The program is run entirely by a group of volunteers and supported by donations and fund raising.
This is the fifth consecutive year for this event, which in the last four years has raised approximately $48,000.
"That was thanks to the great community support we receive," said Backpack Snack Attack volunteer Len Singer. "Last year 78 businesses were involved from the villages of Warwick, Pine Island, Greenwood Lake and Florida."
The funds are raised through customer donations in coin canisters in delis, banks and other stores with counters and envelopes in restaurants.
In addition, direct contributions are made by individuals and businesses.
All funds raised go directly to the purchase of food as there are no overhead costs.
And this August Leo Kaytes Ford has once again selected Backpack Snack Attack as the organization receiving money through The Ford Drive 4UR Community event on Saturday, Aug. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For every test drive that day, the Ford Motor Company will donate $20 to Backpack Snack Attack up to $6,000.
Pre-registration will take place at Ladies Night Out, Aug. 24.
In addition, Leo Kaytes Ford will be having a Grand Reopening on Aug. 18-19.
Again Backpack Snack Attack will benefit from their fund-raising efforts including organizing activities to receive donations from customers and others in attendance.
"We look forward to another successful month of community support," said Backpack Snack Attack President Shirley Puett. "And we are especially grateful to all those businesses who have helped make this event a success every year."
Anyone interested in getting involved in Back to School Month can contact Singer at lenscott57@gmail.com or Puett at backpacksnackattack@yahoo.com.
- Roger Gavan