Kevin Kaster got his start at only 18 when he bought a pickup truck and would haul brush and debris to the dump. Having grown it into a successful moving business, he’s proud that it allows him to give back locally.

Tell us about your business.  

I worked a few days a week for a moving company in Stamford and figured I could do moving jobs myself, so I started to do small moving jobs with the pickup truck. 

I bought a large moving van when I was 21 and became an agent for Wheaton Van Lines, a national mover, so we could do long-distance moves.  We have now been in business for 41 years, we employ 40 – 45 people in the busy season, and have since become now an agent for Atlas Van Lines.  We have two warehouse locations, one in Stamford and one in Stratford, totaling 60,000 square feet.  We move families locally, across the country, and around the world.

How did you get involved with Filling in the Blanks and the local fight against hunger?

We first got involved with Filling in the Blanks in August of 2016.  I played softball with a board member, and he was talking about FITB after a game one night. He mentioned they could use help with transportation and logistics so we offered our help.  Filling in the Blanks had been renting trucks and getting volunteers to move and unload the pallets of food. I offered the use of our trucks and manpower to help. We have been doing it ever since.

What inspires your philanthropy?

We got involved because we are always looking for ways to help people in the communities that we serve.  The fact that kids go hungry in this country is tragic.  We are also involved in a nonprofit network called Move for Hunger. It was started in 2009, and moving companies, like ourselves, collect food from people we are moving who aren’t taking it with them and bring it to the local food bank.

What would you like to see in the future for your community?

We are proud to be affiliated with Filling in the Blanks and to do our small part in helping them achieve their mission. We look forward to them continuing to grow and helping in any way we can.

THANK YOU KASTER MOVING, FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF FIB AND OUR MISSION!

Pete, tell us a little bit about yourself. What has shaped you to be the person you are now?

I grew up in New Canaan, CT and went to public schools as a child. I went to the University of Delaware for college and currently live in New Canaan, CT with my wife and three children.

We’d love to hear a little bit more about DEANE, how did it all start and what are your future goals?

Our company was founded in 1961 by my grandfather. We know lots of families just like ours that grew up in our kitchens and who are now enjoying new DEANE rooms of their own. We’ve been doing this a long time and I can’t imagine doing anything else. Over the last few years we’ve gone beyond local projects in Connecticut, Westchester County and New York City to now doing projects for our clients’ second homes in places like Nantucket, Vermont, Kiawah Island and the Hamptons. Whatever the unique architectural style of your house, our goal is to create rooms that make the most of your special space and that are in sync with your family’s needs and wishes: rooms to love living in and living with.

How did you first get involved with Filling in the Blanks?

Tina Kramer is a DEANE client. I first learned about FIB from my son Mac who was part of the New Canaan Slobs and occasional participant in their ‘packing’ events at which point I reached out to Tina to learn more about FIB which lead to Team DEANE getting involved. It has been wonderful for my team to volunteer with Filling in the Blanks and we have been so impressed with the program Tina, Shawnee and FIB have brought to our community.

Why has supporting FIB been a passion of yours?

Sometimes it is up to local businesses to step in and support the organizations that are doing crucial work in our communities. We design beautiful rooms, and can’t help but be cognizant of the fact that very often there are children in our towns that come home to kitchens empty of food. I feel that it is our moral obligation to give back by helping support the groups that are doing such critical work.

What would you like to see in the future for your community/the areas that FIB serves?

Obviously we are not fooling ourselves to think we can solve the problem of childhood hunger on our own, but by setting an example through our commitment we hope to inspire other people to take action either through donations of their time, money or food and supplies. Filling In The Blanks has been able to expand the number of schools in their program and that means every year fewer children in our community don’t have to spend the weekend hungry and waiting for Monday so they can return to school for a meal. We applaud their work and wish them continued success in the future

THANK YOU DEANE, INC. FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF FIB AND OUR MISSION!

1) Tell us about Wholesome Wave, What do you do?

I’m the Founder of Wholesome Wave, national nonprofit based in Bridgeport, CT. We’re all about making sure people, regardless of income, have access to affordable fruits and vegetables. We accomplish this two ways: our SNAP Doubling programs, where people can double their SNAP dollars when they buy fruits and vegetables; our Wholesome Rx, where health care providers can actually prescribe fruits and vegetables to people who are experiencing or at-risk of diet-related disease. The prescriptions can be spent on fruits and vegetables so patients can afford to follow the prescriber’s advice.

2)When did it start?

Inspired and encouraged by actor Paul Newman—my former business partner at Dressing Room Restaurant in Westport—I started Wholesome Wave in 2007 with my great friend and mentor, the late Gus Schumacher. Gus served as former U.S. Undersecretary of Agriculture and was an incredible force in the food equity space.

3) What is your mission?

Wholesome Wave empowers people who are struggling with hunger to make better food choices by increasing affordable access to healthy produce.

4) Who do you serve?

We serve people throughout the country who can’t afford fruits & vegetables. This includes people who rely on SNAP and people who might not qualify for federal benefits, but still have difficulty putting enough food on the table.

5) How did you get started with Wholesome Wave?

When my first son Chris was diagnosed with diabetes in 1995, I knew I had to change my food strategy at home. This later translated into my work at Heartbeat Restaurant at the W Hotel in Manhattan. One day during dinner service I was standing in the dining room and it clicked with me that, as much as I could make healthy food a reality for my customers, I couldn’t do the same for people who have $2.00 to spend on dinner for four people. I learned there were millions of Americans who struggle with poverty. This was the turning point for me. I had to do something about it. I started raising private funds to work towards the vision Gus and I shared to help people struggling with low income gain the power to put fruits and vegetables their family’s table.

6) What does food insecurity mean to you? For us and the families in many of the communities we work with, people define it for themselves by the numbers of meals they can get on the table. Families who struggle with food insecurity are asking themselves, “Can I get 1.5 meals on the table for myself and each of my kids or is it only one today for me and two for them? Should I skip a meal so my children can eat a little more?” Food insecurity is limited access and affordability to any food let alone the types of food that should be eaten to maintain a healthy diet.

7) Tell us, how did you/Wholesome Wave hear about Filling in the Blanks? Wholesome Wave is involved with Filling in the Blanks through a partnership with Stepping Stones Museum for Children’s Camp ELLI program. We’ll be providing 350 preschoolers and their families with vouchers to buy fruits and vegetables at their local ShopRite during the summer months.

8) Why did FITB’s mission resonate with you? What motivated you to get involved with FITB?

FITB and Wholesome Wave both have similar motivations. We understand that the services available to people struggling with hunger don’t always cover everything that’s needed for a healthy lifestyle. Together we fill in the blanks to make sure kids not only get enough to eat, but get the food they need to be healthy and happy.

9) What would you like to see in the future for the communities that FITB serves?

My dream is a world where no one has to make the choice between paying their rent or putting healthy food on the table. I would love to see fruits and vegetables become affordable for everyone, regardless of income.

Tell us about you, where did you grow up, go to school and live now? Locally here in CT?

I was born in Bridgeport CT but immediately moved to Stamford CT. I grew up and resided in Stamford until 2rd grade when my family moved to New Canaan CT. Once moving to NC I began 3rd grade at West elementary school and the rest is history! I’ve lived in New Canaan ever since and am now raising my own family here.

Tell us a little about your business, What do you do? How many people do you employ? How long have you had Wheel Fine Wines and Spirits? How did it all start?

I own Wagon Wheel Wine and Spirits, which is a full-service boutique wine and liquor store in Stamford CT. I have owned Wagon Wheel since 2006 when I bought it from the previous owners. We are a small business that, although currently only employing 3 people, serves the majority of our local area.

What does food insecurity mean to you?

Food insecurity to me means that there are children not receiving the basic tools to succeed in life. We cannot expect our children to excel and grow if they are not receiving the proper fuel. 13.9% of Connecticut residents are food insecure and 6.0% are very food insecure, this is what food insecurity in our backyard looks like. This statistic should be non-existent, we should be striving to ensure each child is equipped to learn, grow, and just be a kid.

Tell us, how did you hear about Filling in the Blanks?

I first heard about FITB through founder, Tina Kramer, when I was asked some years ago to sponsor a charitable event. After briefly hearing about FITB and their mission I was in! That event was 4 years ago, Wagon Wheel has now sponsored numerous charitable events and fundraisers for FITB and their mission to end hunger.

Why did FITB’s mission resonate with you? What motivated you to get involved with FITB?

As a small business owner I always try to do my part to help various charities in the local community. What appealed to me about FITB is that people all around our own area need something as simple as food. Hearing that there are kids in our own backyard who are in need of life’s basic essentials is extremely hard to hear. No one should be hungry!

What would you like to see in the future for your community/the areas that FITB serves?

As a former student at Stillmeadow Elementary School and a business owner in Stamford, the statistics of childhood hunger in our area are unsettling. I feel that the issue of children going hungry over the weekend is much more prevalent than it should be. What Filling in the Blanks is doing to combat this issue is amazing and I will

Next month, November 2018, Filling in the Blanks is hosting its first ever fashion show at Richards in Greenwich, Connecticut! This is FIB’s first year having programs in Greenwich and to honor the expansion we felt it was only fitting to celebrate local. This fashion show will not only give the community an opportunity to learn who we are and what we do but to also meet other incredible individuals working hard to make an impact.

To accompany Filling in the Blanks we have invited designer Jennifer Lau, designer extraordinaire and philanthropist, to set up a trunk show at this November’s Richards Fashion Show. We sat down with Jennifer to discuss her brand and how she feels about working along side FIB. Here’s what she had to say:

“We are so excited to be included in the upcoming Filling in the Blanks event. Giving back is who we are. It’s what drives us. Our mission is purpose-driven elegance. Designed to celebrate women who are inspiring, confident and compassionate. At Genevieve Lau, we create high-quality, unique, and accessible jewelry that is made in NYC. At least 25% of our profits is always given to charity.

One of our campaigns that we’re most proud of is the LOVED movement. For every LOVED necklace sold, we donate a LOVED necklace to a woman with cancer. To date we have donated over 500 of them. Several years ago, my husband was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. We were told that he got the “lucky cancer” since it was easily treated. Unfortunately, it is also a stubborn cancer. Doctors thought treatment would be 3-6 months and instead it turned in to two years of on and off treatment and a stem cell transplant. While sitting with my husband, Steve, I knew I had to do something for all the people receiving treatment. I started out by bringing meals, blankets, and gifts at the holidays. I wanted to do something even greater. I wanted people to truly feel supported and LOVED. So we started giving out LOVED necklaces and started the LOVED movement. As a designer, it is my favorite part- giving back. We are fortunate to have gotten to the other side. My husband and family (we are a family of seven with 5 kids ages 11-16) are better than ever. I’m in my dream job- designing jewelry for inspirational and confident women. I owe the universe so much and it is my pleasure to keep paying it forward.

All of our jewels are meant to be worn every day dressed up and down. Layering is encouraged! We’ve been told so many of our pieces have good vibes like the LOVED pieces and our hearts and clovers which also give back to children with cancer and children with heart defects. Like Mitchells and Richards’ campaign, women “look good and feel wonderful” wearing our pieces. How rewarding is that as a designer?! xo”

Come celebrate our biggest year yet, shop Genevieve Lau’s beautiful collection and see this seasons upcoming trends November 15th at Richards in Greenwich, Connecticut!