The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation Provides Grant to Assist with Funding for the Food Bank of the Southern Tier’s BackPack Program

From Melissa Smith, Community & Public Relations Manager Food Bank of the Southern Tier:

The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation Provides Grant to Assist with Funding for the Food Bank of the Southern Tier’s BackPack Program™

Elmira, NY – The Food Bank of the Southern Tier announces that a
grant was received in the amount of $1,200 from the Build-A-Bear
Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation. The grant funds will be used to
help fund the Food Bank’s BackPack Program™ in Broome County
for the 2009-2010 school year.
“The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation believes in
extending a helping paw to those in need,” said Matt Oldani,
Foundation Bear of the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs
Foundation. “We believe that the BackPack Program provides a way
to help children during these tough economic times,” added Oldani.
The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation is committed to making life more bearable for children,
families and pets, who are in need of a helping paw. With the sale of each Champ – A Champion Fur Kind – a
special furry friend available in all Build-A-Bear Workshop® stores, one dollar is donated to children’s health and
wellness causes. Funds are available to qualified non-profit groups in the United States and Canada through a
bi-annual grant process. Visit www.buildabear.com for more information.
The BackPack Program provides healthy, child-friendly, and easy to prepare foods to children at risk of hunger
over weekends and holiday breaks when children don’t have access to free or reduced price school meal programs.
During the 2008-2009 school year, the Food Bank served 18 school districts across the Southern Tier, reaching
over 1,200 children each week.
To learn more about the Food Bank of the Southern Tier’s child hunger-relief programs and how you can support
local hunger-relief efforts, visit the Food Bank’s website at www.foodbankst.org or call 607-796-6061.