People’s United Community Foundation is joining the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness at thePaddington movie screening benefit event to kick-start the be homeful project – a campaign to raise awareness and funds to end family homelessness before it begins.

Paddington Bear, the iconic children’s book character, who himself has experienced homelessness, is the “spokesbear” for the be homeful campaign, and is starring in a major feature film that will premiere in the U.S. on January 16. A sneak preview of the Paddington movie will take place on January 11 at the Avon Theatre, where People’s United Community Foundation will award a grant to the Connecticut Coalition to End Homeless to kick-start the be homeful fund. Buy tickets here: http://www.behomeful.org/specialevent

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal will officially kick-off the be homeful campaign and introduce the Paddington movie. Representatives from People’s United Community Foundation and Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness will be available for check presentation photo opportunities.

There are 70,000 homeless families across America, including more than 130,000 children. While shelters across the United States are bursting at the seams, there is currently no major source of funding to keep struggling families from slipping into homelessness in moments of crisis. By making funds available to keep families in the comfort of home, we can help break the cycle of homelessness that can carry forward across generations.

The movie screening is Sunday, January 11, 2015; hot cocoa and pastries will be served starting at 9:00 a.m., followed by People’s United Community Foundation’s check presentation. Movie screening is at 10:00 a.m. The Avon Theatre is located at 272 Bedford St., Stamford, CT.

Ticket proceeds will benefit the be homeful project. Cost is $25 for adults and $20 for children. Please note that tickets for this special event are not available through the Avon Theatre.

About People’s United Community Foundation

Established in 2007, People’s United Community Foundation was formed to help support programs and activities that enhance the quality of life for citizens in the communities that People’s United Bank serves. People’s United Bank, founded in 1842 and serving customers from New York to Maine through a network of more than 400 branches, is the largest independent bank headquartered in New England. The funding priorities of the Foundation include affordable housing, community development, and youth development.