Putnam Town Crier - NOW pg 5 10-27-22

Details: Category: Current Issue

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Grant Given
The Putnam Area Foundation (PAF) gave NOW a grant for $3,125 for a family healthy cooking clinic. From left: NOW grant writer Lynn Bourque, NOW Executive Director Tayler Shea and PAF president Tom Borner. Courtesy photo.

The Putnam Area Foundation donated $3,125 to Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Inc. (NOW) for a Family Engagement Healthy Family Cooking Clinic.
NOW Executive Director Tayler Shea, and board member and volunteer grant writer, Lynn Bourque, met with Tom Borner, president of the Putnam Area Foundation to review grant funds recently awarded to NOW. NOW, Grill 37, and the Putnam Area Foundation will host a program that will teach children and families the importance of nutrition and its ability to influence overall wellbeing, and how to achieve and maintain a healthy diet.
Shea said: “We are beyond grateful for the Putnam Area Foundation and its continued support of our organization. We believe in the importance of making healthy, home-cooked meals achievable to all families. Cooking is a foundational life skill. These clinics will allow parents and children the opportunity to learn new culinary skills, budgeting techniques, and how to incorporate children into the kitchen. All the funds from this grant will be used to ensure that families in the region have the knowledge and opportunity to cultivate a nutritious diet and lifestyle at home, thanks to the Putnam Area Foundation.”
In 2021, the Putnam Area Foundation funded the piloted version of this program. Fifty-five families participated in the family engaged healthy cooking clinic. Together, they were able to serve half of those families with a three-course family meal, followed by an in-depth cooking demonstration with Chef Ian Farquhar of Grill 37, while children worked with NOW staff to learn about nutrition and make a healthy appetizer and dessert.
Northeast Opportunities for Wellness is a non-profit human services organization focused on youth social, emotional, and physical wellness. Serving the 10-town area of Northeast Connecticut, NOW provides children with the opportunity to participate in area athletic programs and activities, offering scholarships to the youth of the community with up to 95% of the cost being subsidized by NOW. The mission of the organization is to provide all children, regardless of financial resources, equal opportunities to achieve & maintain youth wellness, beginning at an early age.

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