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Filling in the Blanks' Food for Thought Quarterly


Thank you for all your support!

Thanks to your generosity and commitment, we’ve made remarkable strides in 2024. Our weekend meal bag program grew from serving 6,368 children to 9,158—an astounding increase of 2,790 children who didn’t go hungry because of you.

 

We’re also thrilled to share the expansion of our Fresh Food on the Move Mobile Pantry, which added a new site in Bridgeport. Together with our locations in Norwalk and Stamford, we’ve served over 11,600 families and distributed an incredible 698,000 pounds of fresh, grade-A food last year.

 

None of this would have been possible without your financial support and countless volunteer hours. You make our mission to fight childhood food insecurity a reality. From all of us at FITB, thank you.




Spotlight Story from 2024

"Since I immigrated to the United States from Guatemala in 2000, I’ve been living with my partner, my two children (ages 20 and 9), and my stepson, who recently arrived in the country at 24. I work as a house cleaner, but with low wages, it’s a constant struggle to make ends meet. Most days, I pick up my 9-year-old daughter from school and care for her while the other members of my household look for work. My partner does day labor, but since his work depends on the weather, our income is uncertain, especially during bad weather.

Applying for SNAP benefits feels overwhelming. I’m paid in cash, and the inconsistent amounts make it hard to answer questions about our income. Growing up in poverty in Guatemala, I never imagined I would face similar struggles here in the U.S.

I tried attending another mobile food distribution, but the quality of food was poor—sometimes spoiled or expired. I had to salvage whatever I could. That’s why I was so grateful when I discovered Filling in the Blanks’ mobile food pantry events. I’ve been attending since they began in October 2023, and it’s been such a blessing. I’m so happy to serve my family fresh, high-quality food that I get to choose myself.

One of the most heartwarming things about “Fresh Food on the Move” is that it’s allowed me to save enough money to enroll my daughter in soccer for the first time. Seeing her on the field, smiling and thriving, means the world to me.” - Mom in line at Mobile Pantry




New Board Chair - Michael Kramer

 

Michael Kramer is a Founding Member and CEO of Ducera Partnersa boutique investment banking firm.  Prior to founding Ducera Partners, Mr. Kramer was a Partner and held various leadership roles at Perella Weinberg Partners, Greenhill & Co., and Houlihan Lokey. Mr. Kramer is also an active investor in both early stage and mature private companies, having invested in companies that operate in Financial Services, Sports and Entertainment, Telecommunications, Healthcare, Technology, Crypto/Blockchain, Consumer, Winemaking, Apparel, and Transportation, among others.

 

Mr. Kramer has served as a member of the board of directors of several public companies, currently serves on the board of directors of several private companies and non-profits.  Additionally Mr. Kramer serves as a Governor for the WHL (Western Hockey League) a part of the CHL (Canadian Hockey League) and is a member of the Advisory Board of RAND Corporation’s Kenneth R. Feinberg Center for Catastrophic Risk Management and Compensation


New Board Member - Laura Jordan

 

Laura Jordan is the Director of Government and Community Affairs for Stamford Health. She has facilitated health and social service provider participation at Stamford mobile pantries. Laura previously managed government affairs and political law compliance for a telecommunications provider and had a long career as an attorney for leaders in the Connecticut legislature. She also serves on the board of Building One Community and the Stamford Chamber of Commerce.


Special Thank You To - Sue Mirza

 

Thank you to the 3 years of service Sue has provided us as Board Chair. Sue has spent 15+ years in corporate banking and private equity before “retiring” to raise her family in Fairfield County and devote her time to philanthropic efforts. She devotes her time locally to Board seats at Filling in the Blanks and Inspirica. Sue will remain on our board and continue to help us fight childhood hunger. 


 

Next up at FITB


 

Garavel Community Partnership

 

For the month of January, when you purchase or lease a vehicle from Garavel, part of the proceeds will go directly to Filling in the Blanks. The goal of Garavel's Community Partnership Program is to financially assist non-profit organizations whose efforts directly benefit Norwalk and its local areas, as well as to increase awareness and visibility of FITB. Click here to visit their website!


Layla's Falafel

 

Throughout February, Layla's Falafel will donate $2 for every pint of hummus sold at their Fairfield, Stamford, and Westport locations. This initiative supports their generous $12,000 pledge to fund the Bridgeport Fresh Food on the Move Mobile Pantry for the month of February, with every pint sold directly contributing to this commitment. Click here to visit their website!


NYC Half Marathon!

 

Super exciting news: We are an official charity partner for this year’s 2025 United Airlines NYC Half! What better way to kick off your New Year’s resolutions than to train for and run 13 miles, all while raising money to support our mission? Interested in running on behalf of Filling in the Blanks? Runners will be selected through a lottery on January 22nd. Click here to apply for your chance to participate!


SOUPerbowl Drive 2025

 

In celebration of the 2025 Super Bowl - we are collecting soups for the children in our weekend meal bag program. 10-12oz Tomato Soup and Chicken Soup are the items we need. Feel free to tell your friends and family about this opportunity, or maybe classmates for a friendly competition. Deadline is February 10th.


Mark Your Calendars!


We have lots of exciting events coming up in 2025!

  • April 6th- Unite to Fight 5K- Wavney Park

  • May 13th- 12th Annual Golf Outing- GlenArbor Golf Club

  • October 2025- Plates with Purpose Gala


 

Thank you to our Sponsors!


 

A huge thank you to our Corporate Partners. Your sponsorship has been an incredible benefit to our team and organization and we are so grateful for your kindness. We recognize the following companies for their commitment to feeding hungry children.






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Contact Us

Filling in the Blanks fights childhood hunger by providing children in need with weekend meals.

Filling in the Blanks is an exempt organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 46-4980002. 

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© 2020 Filling in the Blanks

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