Project Back Pack volunteers have only 10 days left to sell enough raffle tickets for an all inclusive cruise or land based vacation for two from Malliet Travel.
Organizers will draw a winning ticket Friday evening, Sept. 12 during the Wheels on Water Street event downtown New London.
Project Back Pack volunteer Jim Hoffman, said proceeds from the raffle support their program which delivers food-stuffed back packs to New London students with families in need every week throughout the school year.
Each Friday afternoon participating students receive a backpack filled with healthy food and snacks. On Monday, the child returns the empty backpack to their school. Project Backpack-NL volunteers then pick up the backpacks to be restocked with food for the following Friday.
In June 2012, Shepherd of the River Church launched Project Backpack-NL to help close the hunger gap for families suffering difficult economic times. Collaboration with the School District of New London, several churches, local food pantries, businesses and organizations helped make the project possible.
Thanks to the program, over 100 families per week in the New London area are provided assistance during the school year. The program discretely serves all four elementary schools and the New London Middle school.
Project Back Pack-NL received the 2014 Community Service Award at annual the New London Chamber of Commerce Community Awards Banquet.
The upcoming raffle drawing is the first fundraiser event the organization has attempted outside of seeking individual, business, and organizational sponsorships.
“We were a little nervous a few weeks ago,” reported Cheryl Hoffman, Project Backpack volunteer. “We’re just hoping that we recoup the cost of the trip,” she said. “We need to sell a lot more tickets before the drawing on Sept. 12.”
She reported Tuesday, that sales had picked up slightly over the past week.
“Tickets are $5 each and are available at the Waters Supper Club and Lounge, New London Area Chamber of Commerce, Malliet Travel, Festival Foods and Johnny’s Little Shop of Bait.”
The group will also be selling tickets during the Wheels on Water Street event downtown Sept. 12.
For more information on Project Backpack-NL, call Coordinator John Mast at 920-982-4286, or Cheryl Hoffman at 920-982-5792, or Pamella Hooyman at 920-851-2218.