Valentina Fuentes, Reporter
@valentfcourant
A powerful new opportunity to give back to the community is coming to New Canaan High School as the Filling in the Blanks club prepares for a relaunch. The club is a part of a larger effort by the Connecticut-based non profit organization, also titled Filling in the Blanks, which is dedicated to fighting food insecurity by providing weekend meals to children in need.
Founded in 2013 by mothers Shawnee Knight and Tina Kramer, Filling in the Blanks began as a grassroots effort with a simple mission: to feed children who rely on school-provided food during the weekends. Every Friday, the organization distributes backpacks filled with meals to children, ensuring they have enough to eat on Saturday and Sunday. In Connecticut, nearly one in six children face food insecurity, and Filling in the Blanks aims to reduce that number by providing meal bags to 8,500 children every week. However, the nonprofits efforts go beyond just distributing meals. They also hope to improve academic performance, reduce stress, and create healthier communities for the children they help.
According to Kara Bonitatibus, the Public Affairs & Volunteer Coordinator for Filling in the Blanks, the organization has played a critical role in the communities and children it helps over the past few years. “We have seen incredible changes in the local communities that we serve. Children whose families struggle with food insecurity are less worried now that they can count on our weekend meal bags.” she said. “Teachers have also shared with us that students come back on Mondays more focused and ready to learn, positively impacting their academic progress.”
To further its mission, the organization created the student ambassador program, which empowers local students to take on leadership roles within the program. This initiative sparked the creation of many Filling in the Blanks clubs at high schools across the area, including NCHS, which was launched in 2015.
Since its creation at NCHS, the Filling in the Blanks club has thrived. But, as the senior leaders of the club graduated last year, the club unfortunately stopped with them.
The decision to relaunch the club emerged when a group of students decided to step up, recognizing its importance and taking the initiative to bring it back to life.
Junior Emma Barnard is one of the driving forces behind the club’s revival. She first became involved with Filling in the Blanks through her sister, who was a member of the National Charity League (NCL). “I started volunteering when my older sister was in NCL, so when I joined, I already knew what it was,” she said. “Even when I was younger I loved that I was able to help out kids that were around my age and give back to my community.”
Emma’s enthusiasm for the cause is matched by freshman Dallas George, who also has taken on a leadership role for the revival of the club. “I originally did some volunteering in 6th grade with my football team,” he said. “I thought it would be a great opportunity to start volunteering early and get more involved with Filling in the Blanks.”
Joining them in this effort are sophomore Will Morowa and junior Lyla Cody, both of whom are actively working to revive the club and increase student involvement. The club’s former teacher advisor, Ms. Sapienza has also agreed to return, eager to support the group’s efforts. The team met for the first time on Thursday, November 14, and they’re already preparing to announce the club and welcome new members.
As part of their leadership roles, Dallas and Emma are both student ambassadors for the program—individuals who choose to engage more deeply with the organization, helping it thrive. “I love the program, so I decided to become a student ambassador,” Dallas said. “I wanted to be involved all four years of high school.”
For Emma and Dallas, and the rest of their team, the revival of the club is about more than just packing meal bags; it’s about creating a lasting impact in the community, and they are determined to grow the number of student volunteers. “I hope that more people will get involved. I know lots of people from NCL and Service League Of Boys that help out at Filling In the Blanks but I think it’s such a good cause, and everyone should have the opportunity to help out in any way they can,” Emma said.
Dallas, too, believes that increasing student involvement will be key to the club’s success and essential for its growth, particularly in advancing the cause that both he and Emma are so passionate about. He believes that more peer influence can create a more engaging and productive environment. “I think it’s always easier to hear information from a student and not an adult,” Dallas said. “Hearing it from a fellow student is more inspiring, and I think that plays a vital role in how the program works.” For Dallas, bringing New Canaan student volunteers together through the club can create a sense of community which is crucial for ensuring its long-term impact.
Similarly, Kara Bonatitatibus, the volunteer coordinator for Filling in the Blanks, also believes that student involvement is vital for the organization. “Student involvement really results in a holistic impact to the organization. They bring a unique perspective, especially because we serve students from their own peer group” she said. “Student volunteers bring insights and ideas that really resonate because they truly understand the needs and interests of who we are supporting.”
Filling in the Blanks provides a multitude of opportunities for high school students. “We have several opportunities for student volunteers. Students that are ages 14 years and older can volunteer as Teen Helpers with our warehouse packing events, typically on Saturdays,” she said. “Volunteers of any age can support our Unite to Fight 5K, which is held annually in April, by participating and/or fundraising. Anyone can also hold a fundraiser or food drive at any time of the year.”
The club hopes to inspire students to volunteer, and get involved with the many events throughout this year. Students can sign up to be either a packing assistant, a teen helper, or join an assembly packing event. Participation in these events is a crucial part of the organization, and the creation of this club can allow students to engage in the program more effectively.
Joining the club can open so many doors for students, including a way to connect with their community. Bonitatibus also emphasized how community involvement can have lasting personal benefits for students. “Acts of service – no matter how small – can help you develop skills beyond what you can learn in the classroom such as problem solving, communication, and leadership,” she said. “You are helping to address real-world issues in ways that have a significant impact on your community. In addition, you will have the opportunity to meet incredible people that inspire you in ways that you never expected.”
As the Filling in the Blanks club prepares for its relaunch at NCHS, its student leaders are excited to not only bring back a sense of community within volunteers, but also to expand the club to more students. As the club grows, so too will its ability to serve those in need—and, in the process, inspire the next generations of students to continue making a tangible difference in the lives of children across Connecticut.
For students looking to get involved, Filling in the Blanks will be announced to the school soon and is eager to welcome new members. Whether it’s packing bags or participating in local events, there are plenty of opportunities for students to join the fight against food insecurity in Connecticut.
