Eighth annual Backpack Snack Attack Back-to-School month another success

Once again the Warwick Town Board officially proclaimed the month of August as “Backpack Snack Attack Back to School Month.”

And the annual event was another success, raising $7,000.

This year ShopRite and Price Chopper joined forces and collected nearly $2,000 in food donations. And 13 local restaurants collected more than $5,000 in community donations.

Backpack Snack Attack is an outreach program of the Warwick Reformed Church that feeds nearly 300 children in the Warwick, Florida and Greenwood Lake school districts. The church started the program in January 2009 to provide food for hungry school children to eat at home on the weekends during the school year, when school meals are not available.

Who gets the help

The school selects the children in need and volunteers provide the backpacks and individually sized, ready to eat (including microwavable), kid-friendly food items for the children and their siblings every weekend.

During the summer, they also distribute school supplies and/or Staples gift cards to assist with purchasing school supplies for the next year.

Backpack Snack Attack is fueled by volunteers and supported by fundraising, donations and grants. Each child costs approximately $7 per week so the weekly cost is approximately $2,100.

Nearly $90,000 raised in the last seven years

This was the eighth year for this event, which in the last seven years has raised nearly $90,000.

The funds are raised through customer donations from delis, banks and other stores and donation envelopes from restaurants.

“We look forward to another successful year of feeding hungry children,” said Backpack Snack Attack Director Jenna Price. “And we are especially grateful to all the local businesses and our amazing community who help make this event a success every year.”

Essentials

To become a Backpack Angel or just make a flat donation, go to backpacksnackattack.com/donate.

Local businesses who wish to participate in future fundraising events can email info@backpacksnackattack.com.

- Roger Gavan