On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, Neil Armstrong Elementary received a unique gift from one of Blessings in a Backpack Southwest Florida’s program investor, homebuilder Alair Homes. The school received two custom-made “Buddy Benches,” which were created to help students connect during recess. The Buddy Benches aim to cultivate a spirit of friendliness on school playgrounds and make them more inclusive. Additionally, Alair Homes donated $5,000 to support Blessings in a Backpack’s weekend food program, ensuring students have access to nutritious meals when they are away from school on the weekend. Hunger has both short- and long-term negative effects on children’s health and ability to succeed in school.

Alair Homes’ donation to Neil Armstrong Elementary marks the official launch of its national partnership with Blessings in a Backpack. This initiative builds upon the success of the company’s “Get Fed Up” event, where Alair raised over $18,000 for the organization by forgoing a traditional office opening celebration in North Naples. Alair Homes aims to leverage its national network of builders to expand Blessings in a Backpack’s reach and impact in the fight against childhood hunger.

“It costs only $150 to feed one child for a school year. In Charlotte County alone, we could feed more than 30,000 children each weekend. The need is significant, and we need more companies like Alair Homes to step up and help us feed more children. We are beyond impressed by Alair Homes’ ingenuity to create the Buddy Benches and present the first-ever pair to Port Charlotte’s Neil Armstrong Elementary. This elevates our mission to the next level,” said Cecilia St. Arnold, Blessings in a Backpack Southwest executive director.

After the Buddy Bench presentation, team members from Alair Homes were given a tour of the elementary’s school food pantry, where the Blessings in a Backpack weekend food packs are stored. The pantry is also stocked with shelf-safe food for families and other essentials for children like shoes, backpacks, clothes. The school developed this resource after seeing a dramatic incline in a variety of needs. Currently, 150 children are homeless.

“As a longtime resident of Florida, I’m acutely aware of the challenges facing our community,” said Glen Harris III, regional partner of Southwest Florida for Alair. “But our team is in awe of what we’ve witnessed here, and we realize there’s a much bigger need than what we’re able to do today. Partnering with Blessings in a Backpack allows Alair to make a real difference in the lives of local children. We’re proud to support their mission and excited to expand our collaboration on a national scale.”

About Alair Homes

Founded in 2007, Alair Homes is North America’s largest, privately held custom home building and renovation company. With a rapidly growing network of franchises since 2012, Alair has become a trusted name in over 100 locations across North America. Our distinctive approach is cemented in partnerships with esteemed architects, proficient trade partners, and innovative designers, ensuring homeowners a distinctive construction management experience. Striving for continuous improvement through our proprietary Client Control® construction project management methodology, Alair is dedicated to delivering meticulously crafted, beautiful homes while ensuring a transparent, client-focused journey from conception to completion. Learn more at www.AlairHomes.com.

About Blessings in a Backpack

Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry. Blessings in a Backpack will provide 2.5 million hunger-free weekends this school year for kids in 45 states and Washington, D.C. Visit BlessingsinaBackpack.org to learn how you can end childhood hunger on the weekends in your community. Visit SWFL.BlessingsinaBackpack.org to learn about happenings in the Southwest Florida region.