News

By New Canaan Advertiser on February 22, 2018 

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More than 150 volunteers from National Charity League, New Canaan High School Service League of Boys, and New Canaan Basketball team join Filling in the Blanks Co-founders, Tina Kramer, left, and Shawnee Knight, on Feb. 11 to pack meals for 800 needy children. The organization provides children qualifying for free or reduced lunch with food on the weekends, serving schools in Stamford, Norwalk and Bedford Hills, N.Y., and at summer camps. Interested in becoming a volunteer?

Visit www.fillingintheblanks.org. — Contributed photo

By Camilla A. Herrera

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For Tina Kramer and Shawnee Knight, helping in the fight against childhood hunger seemed like a perfect cause to take on. “We both wanted to give back,” says Kramer. “And we wanted our kids to be involved,” adds Knight. After recognizing that some children who qualify for government-funded free or reduced-priced meal programs still experience food insecurity at home on weekends and during school breaks, they soon had a mission for what became Filling in the Blanks (FITB). The nonprofit, now in its third academic year, delivers weekend meals every Friday to Stamford children at Domus, Chester Addison Community Center, KT Murphy Elementary, Roxbury Elementary and the Boys & Girls Club. The formula is simple: Five times a year, up to 150 volunteers show up at the agency’s New Canaan home to help pack and stock bags of donated shelf-stable and easy-to-prepare food. Volunteers also make the weekly deliveries, organize food drives and help raise funds—FITB’s annual Golf Outing benefit will be held May 10 at GlenArbor Golf Club in Bedford, New York. “We are completely volunteer-based, and so far we’ve delivered 6,800 bags just this year,” says Kramer. As FITB grows, Kramer and Knight see an increasing demand, and hope to help all deserving children in Stamford’s elementary schools by 2018. “You see all these kids in need,” says Knight, “how can you say no? It’s not a complicated fix to a problem.” To lend a hand or make a donation, visit www.fillingintheblanks.org

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It was a full day of golf, gourmet meals and scenic views at Filling in the Blanks’ Golf Outing on May10 at GlenArbor Golf Club in Bedford Hills, NY. The signature event included golf contests, a buffet lunch and dinner and live and silent auctions. Eighty-eight golfers enjoyed on-the-course drinks provided by Moet Hennessy, Narragansett Beer and CasaMigos tequila. The club’s Chef Carey Favreau served an elegant buffet dinner with choices of sirloin steak, salmon, pasta, sushi, tacos and dessert for 120 guests. The annual Golf Outing is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Filling in the Blanks, a nonprofit that provides meals for children, mostly in Stamford, CT, who struggle with food insecurity outside of school. With the funds raised during the Golf Outing, Filling in the Blanks will be able to serve children at three additional schools for the 2016/2016 year.