Our participants loved Crockpot Night so much, we did it for the second year in a row! 

Crockpot Night has been a fun, interactive way to minimize some of the roadblocks that families facing food insecurity encounter. With 10 different recipes made from items found right here in our Food Pantry, participants leave with practical, easy and nutritious ways to feed their families.  

In an article titled “Food Insecurity and Food Insufficiency: Assessing Causes and Historical Trends”, author Tara O’Neill Hayes makes the point that food insecurity is not just having an insufficient amount of food but “also a diet that is lacking quality, variety, or desirability.” Often, conversations with participants surrounding the access to food bring questions about what they can do with what they have or what is being offered to them. There is a clear desire to make their resources stretch as far as possible. 

While our Fun Fridays are often centered around building community and free fun, we find it important to still utilize these times to empower our participants. Thanks to a generous donation of crockpots from Southcrest Baptist Church, eleven families went home with a new crockpot and a set of spices to try their new recipes. We’re grateful for community partners who make opportunities to empower and enrich participants’ lives possible. 

Many participants who attended Crockpot Night have already tried the recipes on their own, making the meals for friends or grandkids. Marica* raved about how her grandson loved the Hashbrown Casserole and requests it for breakfast all the time now!  We love the excitement behind Crockpot Night and hope to make it an annual tradition!