Family and Consumer Sciences Highlights

Published: 2020
By Kelly Moore

Creating multi-generational programming that creates spaces and activities to connect young and old continues to be a priority in Missoula County. The “All Hands On Deck - Cooking Class For All Generations,” done in collaboration with the Missoula Food Bank and Community Center, was developed to help fulfill that goal. Participants were required to bring someone older or younger to be included in this free series of four classes. Fifteen participants made up of kids, grandparents, parents, and relative caregivers, attended and joined in the discussion about the look, abilities, and similarities of hands of all ages in the first class “Making Hand Cookies.” Interesting conversations took place while participants traced their partner’s hand in homemade sugar cookie dough, monitored the baking time, and decorated with colorful icing. One grandmother in the class talked about measuring ingredients in her hand (learned from her great grandmother), instead of using a measuring cup. Her young grandson asked, “Would my hand measure a cup too?” The February class, “Packing Super-Hero Lunches” had 12 participants who designed Ninja Turtle green rice cakes while talking about the importance of eating healthy, low-cost, kid-friendly lunches. One father reported that the cooking class provided quality time with his daughter away from the pressures of work and stress of shared custody. While COVID-19 restrictions required the cooking class be placed on hold, it allowed for new opportunities in other programs like Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC) and the MTKNP (Montana Kinship Navigator Program). Combining efforts with a valued community partner, Missoula Aging Services, allowed for the virtual offering of both programs. Eight participants recently completed the 6-week PTC class and 99% of participants agreed that as a result, they felt more confident as caregivers, found it easier to ask for help with tasks, and looked for additional community resources to help meet caregiving needs. The Missoula monthly MTKNP Support Group is now available to kinship families across Montana for sharing insight, experience, resources, and encouragement. The Missoula Public Library now hosts a monthly FCS Extension cooking class that is filmed and available for viewing from their website. Some topics include the basics of canning, the stuff of stuffing, and make-it-yourself hummus and falafel. Having ongoing access to cooking classes may help ease feelings of isolation and anxiety when in-person classes are not available.