Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Hunger Action Week March 25-30, 2013


Starting next week, United Way is going to kick off their annual Hunger Action Week, an awareness week that focuses on hunger issues right here in our very own King County.  One out of five kids in King County are currently at risk for hunger, and United Way is working diligently to end food insecurity for those children and families.  Food insecurity affects 13% of King County residents and United Way is asking everyone in our community to stand up to hunger.  By signing up for Hunger Action Week, Car Toys will donate $5 to help hungry families through the Summer Meal programs.  Here at Cooking Matters we’re proud of our volunteers work to stand up to hunger, and we’re happy to share these volunteer opportunities and awareness challenges with you.  This Hunger Action Week has already signed up almost 3,000 volunteers. Even our very own Mayor McGinn & King County Executive Dow Constantine have pledged to take the Food Stamp Challenge.  Please follow the links below to help create a Hunger Free King County.
If you do choose to participate in Hunger Action Week tell us about it, share your experiences with us via Facebook or here on our blog.

Take Action:

·         Take the Food Stamp Challenge and try to eat three healthy meals for one week on a food stamp budget. Get details.
·         Volunteer. Help with our survey on March 30. Search all the ways to volunteer to find one that fits your schedule and interests.
·         Learn these hunger facts, share them via social media to help spread awareness of what hunger looks like in our community. Tweet #hungerfreeKC and bookmark our blog to keep up with the latest Hunger Action Week news.
·         Host a dinner party. (here's how!) and gather friends to talk about what you can do to end hunger.
·         Make a donation. School will be out soon, and thousands of kids won’t be able to rely on school breakfast and lunch for nutrition. Support summer meals programs by making a gift today.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Upcoming Classes

Volunteer openings are indicated in RED, and we will try to update this page periodically as spots are filled.


Please email Emily if you see a class that you would like to volunteer for, or if you have any other questions. You can also view this class schedule in a calendar format by clicking the Cooking Matters calendar link on the right hand side of this page.
Don't forget that Week Zero will happen one week before class starts! Learn more about Week Zero here.


MONDAY  CLASSES:

Brettler Family Place (Sandpoint)

Cooking Matters for Kids
June 10-July 22, skip July 1, week 0 June 3
Mondays, 4:30-6 PM
Chef and Nutritionist Needed

Community Day School Association at Sanislo (West Seattle/Delridge)

Cooking Matters for Kids
June 24-July 29, week 0 June 17
Mondays, 1-2:30 PM
Chef and Assistant Needed

TUESDAY CLASSES:

Mercer Middle School (Beacon Hill)
Cooking Matters for Teens
June 25-July 30, week 0 June 18
Tuesdays, 1:30-3 PM
Nutritionist and Assistant Needed

New Futures at Woodridge Park (Burien)

Cooking Matters for Teens
June 25-July 30, week 0 June 18
Tuesdays, 1:00-3 PM
Chef, Nutritionist, and Assistant Needed

WEDNESDAY CLASSES:


Sea Mar (South Park)
Cooking Matters for Adults (Spanish skills helpful)
June 5-July 10th, week 0 May 29th
Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 PM (June 26th will be from 6-8 PM)
Chef, Nutritionist, and Assistant Needed

THURSDAY CLASSES:


New Beginnings (Confidential Location)
Cooking Matters for Families
May 23- June 27th, Week 0 May 16
Thursdays, 6-8 PM
ALL VOLUNTEER POSITIONS FILLED


Atlantic Street Center Rainier Beach Family Center (Colombia City)
Cooking Matters for Families
May 30- June 27th (only 5 weeks due to July 4)
Thursdays, 6-8 PM
ALL VOLUNTEER POSITIONS FILLED


Wednesday, March 6, 2013

WHAT MAKES YOU THE MOST UNIQUE COOKING MATTERS VOLUNTEER


WHAT MAKES YOU THE MOST UNIQUE COOKING MATTERS VOLUNTEER

This year, Solid Ground’s Cooking Matters would like to select one lucky volunteer to join us at our annual Share Our Strength Conference of Leaders.  This is a great opportunity for you to learn more about all the great programs Share Our Strength is working on to end childhood hunger and also network with some of the hardest working, talented national Share Our Strength and Cooking Matters staff and other volunteers.  This year marks Cooking Matters 20th anniversary so attendance at this conference is expected to be its largest yet!

But first, we want to hear your story!  In one page, tell us what makes you the most unique Cooking Matters volunteer here in Seattle and why you should get a shot at hopping that plane to DC in June.  Deadline to enter is Friday, March 22nd ,  5 pm.  All volunteers (chef, nutritionist, class assistants) are all welcome to enter.  Feel free to share any stories from classes, photos, why you think this experience will be valuable to you, etc.  to make your case.

The winner will be announced Monday, April 1st.

THE FINE PRINT:

Share Our Strength’s Conference of Leaders is an annual, national gathering of all Cooking Matters and Share Our Strength staff and nominated volunteers which will take place in Washington, D.C.  The conference runs from Saturday morning, June 1st through Monday afternoon, June 3rd .  Solid Ground’s Cooking Matters staff will be leaving Friday, May 31st so volunteers who enter this contest must be able available to leave Friday and are required to attend all three days of the conference.  Share Our Strength will provide all transportation and lodging and meals during conference hours.  Solid Ground will cover additional meals.  Any additional incidentals will be the responsibility of the volunteer.

The selected volunteer will also be asked to write a short follow up essay based on your experience at the conference for our Cooking Matters blog. 

 GOOD LUCK!

The Cooking Matters Team
Raquel, Emily,  Toni