JSC Students Hike to End Childhood Hunger

October 16, 2009

Johnson State College and Laraway Youth and Family Services are partnering to participate in Hike for Hunger 2009. The hike is scheduled for Friday morning, October 16, 2009 rain or shine, at the Legion Field in Johnson. JSC students will leave from the SERVE Office (Stearns Student Center, Room 408) at 9 a.m. on the 16th.

JSC and Laraway are joining forces with colleges, high school, middle, and elementary schools statewide to participate in the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger’s 13th annual Hike for Hunger event. October is Hike for Hunger month and this year, an unprecedented number of colleges will be joining regional schools to hike and raise money for the Cooking for Life nutrition education classes. “The goal of Cooking for Life is to empower parents and youth to make healthy choices,” says Rebecca O’Reilly, Nutrition Education Coordinator of the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger. “With increased skills in nutrition and low-cost meal preparation, families can stretch food dollars further and feel good about providing healthy options for their families. It is one thing we all can do to decrease the risk of hunger for Vermont children and families.”

For more information about hikes that are happening in your community this fall, please contact Alida Duncan at 865-0255. Hike for Hunger 2009 is sponsored by City Market, National Life Group, and Northfield Savings Bank.

About the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger: The Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger is a statewide nonprofit organization that works with state agencies and community groups to develop sustainable hunger solutions. Since 1993 the Campaign’s outreach programs have substantially enhanced Vermont’s nutrition safety net and increased access to nutritious foods. www.vtnohunger.org

About Cooking for Life: Cooking for Life is a collaboration of the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger and University of Vermont Extension’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, (EFNEP). The program provides parents with nutrition information as well as hands on experience so that they can learn how to make healthy choices and prepare affordable meals. During the six-week course, parents learn practical information about budgeting, shopping, and healthy cooking techniques. Parents take an active role in the classes by preparing healthy meals in the kitchen, and then taking home the recipes along with necessary ingredients so that they can share the experience with their families.