Summer at CommonGround: This Year It’s a Family Affair

CommonGround Christian Community Center, located at 28 W. Main St. in Owego, is a place for people to come together. And this summer it’s definitely a family affair.

On Tuesdays, kids will slice, chop, dice and blend under the watchful eye of SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator Kathleen Cook from Cornell Cooperative Extension. They will create smoothies, pancakes, quesadillas and wraps – amazing their parents and themselves with their newly found culinary prowess. 

Also amazing is what both parents and kids will learn about what we eat and drink. “We’ll look at how to read a label,” Kathleen explains, “we’ll learn how much sugar is in some popular beverages, how much fat and sugar are in fast foods, why different colored fruits and vegetables and whole grains are so healthful, and why breakfast is such an important meal.” 

Classes start at 12:30 p.m. Slots fill up fast, so reserve your spot now. You can call (607) 972-7054 for more information. 

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, families can drop by and visit with the folks from the Owego Family Resource Center (FRC). Kids can play outside (weather permitting) while parents relax and chat. Anyone who has spent time with the FRC folks at their former home on North Avenue knows what a delightful experience that can be. No need to sign up, just stop by and say hello. Jackie Spencer, Donna Gibson and their volunteer staff will be glad to see you.

Thursday is Kids Farmers Market day. From noon to 1 p.m., kids “shop” fresh produce provided by the Food Bank of the Southern Tier. Food Bank Programs Coordinator Erica Miner observes, “The Market is a great opportunity for children to encounter fruits and vegetables they may not see every day. They can touch, smell, get excited about eating fresh produce, and bring it home for the family.” 

Parents, not sure how to prepare your child’s selections? No problem: lots of great recipes will be available. For more help, check out Kathleen Cook’s Tuesday classes. 

And of course Monday through Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Owego Apalachin Central School District (OACSD) staff will be serving nutritious lunches – this year lunch is also a family affair. Thanks to a Tioga United Way grant secured by the Tioga County Anti-Hunger Task Force, adults are served with the kids. 

Community Volunteer Nancy Eckstrom noted, “There are an estimated 2,000 children in Tioga County who are at risk of not having enough to eat when school is out.” This year neither child nor parent needs to go hungry.

Volunteers are always welcome, says CommonGround Pastoral Coordinator Robert Henrich. “The great part about everyone pitching in is that no one gets stuck with all the work, and everyone has fun – the volunteers as well as the people served.”

It all starts Monday, July 8, and runs through Friday, Aug. 16. There is no charge for any of the activities. For more information, contact Robert Henrich at (607) 972-7054.

Events are still being added, so check CommonGround Christian Community Center’s Facebook page for the latest information.