Member Update

Here are a few bits of information from the Summer Reunion shared by Cheri Burcham and Chelsey Byers-Gerstenecker. We really do appreciate their willingness to take time to bring us an update from Extension.

IEAFCS now has 30 members which is a good improvement from a few years ago when almost all current members left Extension. There are 6 Family Life Educators, 3 for Consumer & Family Economics, 10 in Nutrition & Wellness, and 19 who are SNAP ED and EFNEP. More are needed if funding issues can be re-solved.

The reason for the larger number in SNAP ED and EFNEP is that Federal money has been relatively strong in recent years. There is 4.5 million set aside for school nutrition programs.

We are always happy to see Marjorie LaFont and learn that she is still very busy! She is leader of a 4-H club that has 50 members--including her grand kids.  She is still carrying on the good work of Extension.

Marjorie also spends a lot of time helping out the Midwest Food Bank in Peoria. She helps in development of recipes for various food products--especially the unusual ones. She mentioned trying to figure out ways to use sauerkraut juice, textured vegetable protein, and couscous. These would be a challenge for sure! The Midwest Food Bank serves 244 area food pantries. They receive about 2,000 pounds of food per month! Keep up the good work, Marjorie!