The following success story was submitted by the Alfond Youth & Community Center (AYCC). Dollars given to UWKV support this program as well as many others across Kennebec Valley.
A dedicated mother of three was enrolled in the AYCC’s After School Program, where her children were introduced to the weekly meal kit. The children quickly developed a deep affection for these kits, consistently showing excitement to pick up the box and learn how to prepare a brand-new recipe as a family. This shared, hands-on cooking experience was so inspiring that it sparked a new, meaningful family tradition. Now, during their weekly grocery trip, the children proudly take turns choosing a new, unfamiliar fruit or vegetable for the family to try together.
The AYCC program offers a comprehensive farm-to-table experience that develops lifelong skills and nutritional education. Youth actively help in the garden, have the opportunity to taste what they grow at the AYCC during a meal or snack, and then take home fresh, supplementary ingredients to prepare a full meal with their family.
This entire experience has gone beyond simple meal preparation, profoundly deepening the family’s connection to food and to one another. Thanks to the support received, the AYCC can continue to provide this vital program, creating lasting health and engagement for families like theirs within Kennebec County.
