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08/10/2015 06:50 AMBecause the need is there, Feed Branford Kids (FBK) is gearing up for back-to-school with plans to send even more elementary students home with weekend meals and snacks in their backpacks. Two upcoming events in town will help support the cause.
Currently, about 25 percent of Branford’s public school students are eligible for free or reduced lunch. That amounts to more than 700 kids. With numbers like that, the question becomes, “What happens to these kids when they’re not in school?” says FBK co-organizer Pat Andriole, who served as Branford Counseling Center’s executive director for more than 40 years.
Additionally, free or reduced lunch statistics doesn’t include kids from families that make as little as $1 over the free/reduced provision income guide, Andriole noted, so even more students are likely in need.
Andriole was one of the first people FBK founder Johanna Pantani sought out when working to get FBK off the ground last year, together with help from friends including Susan Barnes and Wendy Cowles. Cowles is president of non-profit Branford Food Pantry, which acts as an umbrella organization for FBK donations and collections.
FBK volunteers sort, pack, and deliver donations to school personnel each week and the food is then added to student backpacks confidentially. Kids from Tisko, Murphy, and Sliney elementary schools as well as St. Mary’s School and the Family Resource Center (Indian Neck School) are being assisted by FBK.
All-volunteer FBK launched in November 2014 by delivering backpack weekend meal packages (breakfast, lunch, milk, juice, and snacks for Saturday and Sunday) for 10 students.
By the time school ended in June, 77 elementary students were taking home weekend meals. In all, FBK had distributed 7,456 meals during the 2014-’15 school year.
Each backpack meal package costs approximately $6 to $7 per student. If FBK were to assist even half of the estimated 700 Branford children in need, it would cost $85,000 per year to run the program, said FBK organizers.
Now, as the start of school nears, FBK is putting on a push to raise awareness that will bring more children to the program, while also working hard to generate donations to support the need. Right now, Branford businesses Smoothie King and Onofrio Total Construction are pitching in by organizing fundraising events.
On Wednesday, Aug. 19, Smoothie King of Branford is holding a special FBK fundraising day with a prize wheel from noon to 2 p.m. and the Smoothie King Cup mascot from 2 to 3 p.m. A portion of all sales will benefit FBK. In addition, Smoothie King franchisee Kevin Glazier has created the new FBK Smoothie to be unveiled Aug. 19 and offered at the Branford shop going forward. Each time someone buys one FBK smoothie at the Branford Smoothie King, $1 will be donated to FBK, said Branford Smoothie King Marketing Director Laurie Miers.
Meirs said the FBK smoothie is a strawberry, banana, and kale creation that’s delicious and likely to become a favorite with kids and parents, as the kale doesn’t factor into the smoothie’s taste but does add a healthy kick.
Smoothie King’s Aug. 19 fundraiser in Branford will be followed a few weeks later by Onofrio Total Construction’s Charity Golf Tournament, teeing off at the Pine Orchard Yacht & Country Club on Tuesday, Sept. 1 with support from it sDiamond Sponsor, the Kamran Farid Foundation. The day’s Hole in One Prize is a new car (sponsored by Quality Life Health Care); there’s a Putting Contest with a $10,000 prize at stake (sponsored by Onofrio’s Total Construction) and other prizes for players. Registration ($150 per person, $600 per foursome) or tickets to the cocktail hour/dinner only ($40) are still available, featuring raffle, Silent and Live Auctions. All proceeds benefit FBK.
FBK Golf Committee members include Pantani, Andriole, Barnes, Cowles, Terri Conte, Janice Fowler, Kerry Haynes, and Carol Stewart. Stewart said the group appreciates the efforts of so many in the community who are supporting BKF and hopes to help many more thanks to these fundraising efforts and others.
“We know that we’re touching lives and changing lives,” said Stewart.
On Wednesday, Aug. 19, Smoothie King of Branford (847 West Main Street) offers special events with a portion of proceeds to benefit Feed Branford Kids (FBK). Onofrio Total Construction’s Charity Golf Tournament benefiting FBK is Tuesday, Sept. 1 at Pine Orchard Yacht & Country Club, 2 Club Parkway, Branford (no rain date). For golf tourney information, registration, or tickets, email pcandriole@comcast.net or call 203-488-9697.