Junior League grant aids Rural Outreach Center nutrition program

The Rural Outreach Center in East Aurora was the recent recipient of a $1,000 grant from the Junior League of Buffalo for its upgraded “Nutrition ROCs” program.

Founded in 1919, the Junior League of Buffalo is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. For more information, please visit www.jlbuffalo.org.

Due to increased demand, the program is being expanded to serve single dads and other participants, including children of the participants. Staffing for the nutrition program will consist of dietary interns from the University at Buffalo and volunteers, and food used in the program will be donated. New kitchen equipment and supplies will be purchased with the grant funds for single moms and individual donations for others.

The program will offer a monthly class that will teach participants the elements of proper nutrition, meal preparation and cooking while utilizing local produce as much as possible. Children will be engaged in food-related activities, games and crafts, and will also share a healthy meal with their parent. Individuals who commit to these classes will take home new kitchen tools and supplies. Classes will be held on the Roycroft Campus in East Aurora.

“Our goal is to teach healthy behaviors and nutrition-related skills that hopefully will continue long after this one-year program ends,” said ROC Executive Director Frank Cerny.

For more information on the ROC, please call 240-2220 or follow the Rural Outreach Center on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheRuralOutreachCenter for frequent updates.