Every Friday of the school year, Feed Branford Kids (FBK) sends hungry kids home with a weekend's worth breakfast, lunch and snacks. That adds up to about $250 per student. With FBK currently assisting 220 students, that's a cost of some $55,000 per year.

That's why, during this season of giving, FBK is encouraging community individuals, groups and organizations to sponsor a child for a school year's worth of of weekend meals by contributing a gift of $250, said FBK volunteer Sue Barnes.

Cosgrove is happy to share that the season of giving kicked off with a generous gift from the residents of Cedar Woods senior living and retirement community. On Wednesday, Dec. 6, FBK received a gift of $1700 from the residents, generated from proceeds from their Dec. 2 Holiday Fair.

All-volunteer FBK is run in cooperation with Branford Public Schools and with fiduciary oversight from non-profit Branford Food Pantry (BFP). With seed money given by her family, FBK was started up in November, 2014 by Branford resident Johanne Pantani and a handful of friends including Barnes.

Each weekend, kids supported by FBK can rely on having two breakfast cereals, milk, juices and two easy-to-prepare lunches (canned pasta, chicken or tuna) as well as two fruits and two snacks. Volunteers deliver the food to schools on Friday, to be placed backpacks behind the scenes during the school day; then sent home with each child.

FBK's very first delivery in 2014 helped 10 kids; then quickly mushroomed to assist 70 per week. The next year, the figured doubled. By 2016, the number of kids receiving food was stretching toward 200.  At present, FBK is assisting 220 Branford public school kids; but many more students are eligible. Ultimately, FBK would like to not only provide for every child in need, but to also assist them with weekend meals during the summer months when school isn't in session.

In Branford, more than one in four public school students qualify for federally-assisted free or reduced lunch. The figure not only shows a huge need in town, but also the need for programs like FBK to step in and help kids on days when school isn't in session. Currently, FBK assists kids from Tisko, Murphy, and Sliney elementary schools (grades Pre-K – 4) as well as St. Mary's School (Pre-K - 8) and pre-schoolers at Family Resource Center (former Indian Neck School).

FBK periodically sends home flyers with all elementary school kids to notify of the opportunity to sign up for the program. No child will be turned away. Signing up simply requires making a request through the child's school.

To learn more about Feed Branford Kids, find them on Facebook. Donations of $250 to sponsor a child, or of any amount to support the effort, may be made out to Branford Food Pantry, with "Feed Branford Kids" in the check memo, and can be mailed to Branford Food Pantry, 30 Harrison Ave., Branford, CT 06405.