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Presenting a check to Feed Branford Kids at its January meeting are (from left) Josie Jolon of Beneath the Gown, Joe Vaiuso of Vaiuso Farms, Anna Feniola and Lisa Feniola Daniele (holding Max and Mia) of Polished Boutique, Preston Ranton of soundRUNNER, Carol Stewart and Susan Barnes of Feed Branford Kids, James Blackstone Memorial Library Director Karen Jensen, Sheri Peterson of Coldwell Banker, and Jenna Cheslock of Fired Up!. Fired Up! received the highest bid among the 30 wreaths, and Possessions raised more than $1,000 in donations. (Photo courtesy of Terry Elton)

The Branford Town Center merchants’ second annual Holiday Wreath Extravaganza raised $2,600 for Feed Branford Kids (FBK). With 30, 24-inch wreaths donated by Vaiuso Farms, dozens of shops, restaurants, and boutiques in and around the Town Center decorated and displayed the wreaths as part of a silent auction to benefit Feed Branford Kids. The Town Center merchants group is an extension of the town’s economic development office.

Participating businesses in Branford’s 2018 Wreath Extravaganza included: Beneath the Gown, Branford Art Center & Gallery, Butterfly Effect, Ciarleglio Jeweler, Coldwell Banker, Common Grounds, Consign & Design, Denali, Elements Massage, Fired Up!, James Blackstone Memorial Library, Merle Norman, Myer’s Florist, North Light Gallery, Pinky Nail & Spa, Polished Boutique, Possessions, PS Fine Stationers, Richlin Home & Auto, Salon Refuge, Shoreline Chamber of Commerce, soundRUNNER, Sweets on Main, TGS Outdoors, Towne Pharmacy, Town Hall, Village Express Pack & Ship, and Weichert Realtors.

Feed Branford Kids provides wholesome and nutritious take-home meals each weekend to Branford school children in need. Founded in 2014, FBK is 100-percent volunteer run and operates under the auspices of the Branford Food Pantry, a 501(c)3 corporation. It currently supports more than 200 elementary school children across town to arrive in the classroom on Mondays well-nourished and ready to learn. For more information, contact FBK at feedbranfordkids@yahoo.com.