Bankwell Sponsors Filling in the Blanks Holiday Backback Drive

Photo left to right: Front row: Kristin Thomas, Neely Leslie

Back row: Melissa Blanco, Jenny Volanakis, Julie Eich, Bankwell in New Canaan Branch Manager, Will Acevedo, Megan Hoffman and Roseann Conheeney

Filling in the Blanks Announces Fourth Annual Holiday Backpack Drive

Bankwell signs on as sponsor

New Canaan, Conn., November 6, 2017 - - Filling in the Blanks, the Fairfield County-based non-profit that fights childhood hunger by providing needy children with meals on the weekend, today launches its Fourth Annual Holiday Backpack Drive. Filling in the Blanks (FIB) currently serves more than 800 children in Fairfield and Westchester counties and will once again give each child in its program a brand new backpack filled with gifts this holiday season.

Founded in 2013 by two New Canaan residents, FIB strives to remove the obstacle of food insecurity faced by thousands of children by providing each student in its program a bag containing two breakfast items, two lunch items, snacks and fresh fruit every Friday. Children who qualify for the government free or reduced school lunch program are eligible. Just before the winter break, FIB will give each child it serves a brand-new backpack containing:

A brand-new, grade appropriate book

New toy

New hat, scarf, gloves and socks, donated by Lemon

New toothbrush, donated by Fessler Family Dentistry

Pancake mix and syrup

Bankwell is announcing its support of the program through a donation
toward the purchase of backpacks.

Notes Bankwell Marketing Director Diane Knetzger, “As a community partner, Bankwell is thrilled to support the Filling in the Blanks Holiday Backpack Drive. Their mission to fight childhood hunger, which impacts students right in our backyard, is an important one, and we’re committed to making this a priority initiative -- through our donation, as well as volunteering with the assembly and delivery of the backpacks. We applaud the efforts of Filling in the Blanks for truly making a difference in our community.”

For the third year, Elm Street Books in New Canaan will partner with FIB to secure the books for the backpacks. During the month of November, Elm Street shoppers will be able to purchase a book (or a bundle) for the FIB Holiday program. Elm Street will also give 10% of the pre-tax purchase price of each book back to FIB.

A variety of organizations have joined with FIB to collect the items needed to fill every bag, including New Canaan Youth Football, First Presbyterian Church, Grace Community Church, the New Canaan YMCA and the Little Rams Service League. FIB is also seeking organizations and/or families to assist in the assembly and delivery of the backpacks in December. To volunteer, or to donate a complete backpack to the program, visit www.fillingintheblanks.org.

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Contact:

Jenny Volanakis

jenny@notionv.com