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Uxbridge Hannaford Supermarket Donates $1,000 to Rockdale Youth Center’s Survival Cooking Program
Uxbridge Hannaford Supermarket Donates $1,000 to Rockdale Youth Center’s Survival Cooking Program
Charles Thompson, Whitin Community Center (WCC) Director, announced that the Uxbridge Hannaford Supermarket is partnering with the WCC Rockdale Youth Center to support its Survival Cooking program. A grant of $1,000 will supply food for the activities at the Rockdale Youth Center. Uxbridge store manager, Mike Richardson, and his staff will also come to the Youth Center to teach children about nutrition, food safety, and the variety of food that exists in each department of Hannaford Supermarkets. There are also plans to provide a field trip to the Uxbridge Hannaford Supermarket to teach the children about the process by which food ends up on supermarket shelves.
The Survival Cooking program is designed to teach safety precautions and simple meal planning that is nutritious to children at the Rockdale Youth Center. The center is an after school activity and homework help center for children ages 8 – 13 located in the Rockdale section of Northbridge, MA. The center is open from 2:30-6:00 PM on school days, 12:00-6:00 PM on no school days and half-days. The program provides a safe and nurturing place for children to go when school is not in session and parents are working.
As part of the Survival Cooking enrichment program, youth at the Center are taught basic cooking skills so that each program participant will learn how to safely prepare meals independently. Meal planning will include fresh fruits and vegetables; rice, pasta, and sauces; soups and stews; cheese, eggs, yogurt and milk; and other items typically found at home. The enrichment program meets once a week for one-hour sessions at the Youth Center under the supervision of Outreach Coordinator, Kristy Gaska. The money donated by Hannaford Supermarkets will be used to purchase the food for these sessions.
According to Brett MacGowan, WCC Assistant Director and Outreach Program Director, “We are delighted with the support we’ve received from Hannaford Supermarkets and look forward to working with them on behalf of area children so that these youngsters are better prepared to take care of themselves, make good decisions about food choices, and keep themselves safe in the kitchen where so many accidents can happen.”
Associates and managers from the Uxbridge Hannaford Supermarket also plan to visit the Youth Center monthly to discuss different types of foods and methods for safe food preparation. For example, children will be exposed to exotic fruits and vegetables to understand the variety that exists. Children will also learn about Hannaford’s Guiding Stars program so that they can make nutritious choices when shopping with their families.
Molly Tarleton, Regional Community Relations Specialist for Hannaford Supermarkets, states, “Hannaford has a strong tradition of supporting many deserving and worthwhile community organizations. We are grateful that our associates and our customers recognize the importance of our involvement in these activities, and we are proud to play an active role in strengthening the communities we serve.”
The Whitin Community Center is a private, non-profit, community-based organization serving the Blackstone Valley since 1922. The Whitin Community Center is committed to enhancing the health and well-being of individuals and families and building a strong community in the Blackstone Valley. We offer social, recreational, educational, and outreach programs that bring community members of all ages and backgrounds together. The Whitin Community Center is the Blackstone Valley’s most complete family and recreation center with approximately 3,700 members, two pools, a gym, a fitness center, child care and after school programs, and a seven-acre park. Additional information can be found at www.ourgym.org.
Hannaford Bros. Co., based in Scarborough, Maine, operates 158 stores under the Hannaford Supermarket and Hannaford Supermarket and Pharmacy names. Hannaford stores feature Guiding Stars, America’s first storewide nutrition navigation system. Hannaford employs more than 26,000 associates. The company is owned by Delhaize Group of Brussels, Belgium. Additional information can be found at www.hannaford.com.
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