SUBURBAN
PRESS
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013
LIFE
PEOPLE | IDEAS | RECIPES
One-year-old Max Cicchinelli, left, and John Alf, 2, dig for fresh compost. FORREST SELLERS/THE COMMUNITY PRESS
School garden grows on toddlers By Forrest Sellers fsellers@communitypress.com
It’s never too early to develop a green thumb. Cincinnati Country Day School’s Early Childhood House is exposing children as young as 18 months to gardening. “For them it’s about the sensory experience,” said Kathi Bagnoli, a lead teacher at the school. “Over time you hope they gain a love of nature.” Bagnoli, of Indian Hill, said the youngsters have a chance to dig in the dirt, touch different flowers and smell a variety of vegetables. “It gives the kids a hands-on experience outdoors and also teaches them to care for the environment,” she said. Tara McMullen, who is also a team leader at the Early Childhood House, said eighth-graders at Cincinnati Country Day School helped set up the garden. She said the youngsters then followed through with planting, maintaining and then harvest-
Tara McMullen, left, a team leader at Cincinnati Country Day School's Early Childhood House, helps Camilla Kassar, 1, of Indian Hill, find the best jalapeno pepper in the school's garden. FORREST SELLERS/THE COMMUNITY PRESS
ing the garden, which includes tomatoes, potatoes, cucumber, squash and even jalapeno peppers. “The peppers are spicy,” said Lilli Beck, who is 2 years old. “The peppers are very hot.” However, this hasn’t stopped
Beck from enjoying a jalapeno every now and then. McMullen, of Madeira, said the children have even learned about composting and will frequently dig fresh compost from a pile behind the home. Although the children had
Two-year-olds Liliane Ross, left, of Loveland, and Lilli Beck, of Maineville, pick cherry tomatoes in the garden at Cincinnati Country Day School's Early Childhood House. FORREST SELLERS/THE COMMUNITY PRESS
grown sunflowers in the past, this is only the second year they have grown vegetables in the garden.
With the enthusiasm the children have shown it will likely continue. “We plan to do this every year,” McMullen said.
Help NEEDS meet the Feinstein Challenge
If you are a member of an organization that supports the Northeast Emergency Distribution Service (NEEDS) you know we’re not nearing the end of winter, but the beginning of Feinstein Challenge season. The Feinstein Challenge divides and distributes $1 million among agencies that feed hungry families in their community. Since 1998 Rhode Island resident and philanthropist Alan Shawn Feinstein has been helping hunger-fighting agencies raise funds by challenging their supporters to “up the ante.” From March 1 thru April 30 The Feinstein Foundation will match monetary donations as well as in-kind food pantry contributions. Participating agencies, like NEEDS, can expect to receive a check in August for a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $35,000. NEEDS is a community of churches and civic organiza-
tions whose mission is to do God’s work through caring for their neighbors by providing basic emergency assistance. There are approximately 25 churches and civic organizations that form the NEEDS Board. NEEDS is an all-volunteer cooperative located in the Kenwood Baptist Church and NEEDS does not receive government support. The NEEDS board oversees an active foodbank, as well as provides neighbors-in-need with housing and utility payment assistance. During the year NEEDS sponsors a school supply drive, a holiday season “Adopt-A-Family” and in January the board collects socks, mittens and scarves for schoolage children. NEEDS serves more than 2,000 people in northeastern Hamilton County. Here’s how you can help NEEDS: The Feinstein Chal-
lenge is between March 1 and April 30. Each can/box/package of food donated during that time counts as $1. The total of in-kind items donated and the dollars collected during those two months will be added together as part of the challenge. If you would like to make a financial contribution to NEEDS, you can write a check to NEEDS noting “Feinstein Challenge” in the memo line, and mailing it to: NEEDS, 8341 Kenwood Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236. You or any community group can also collect canned goods and other non-perishable food items for NEEDS. The NEEDS food pantry is at the Kenwood Baptist Church, 8341 Kenwood Road, 45236 and is open Tuesday and Thursdays from 9 a.m.to 1 p.m. For pick-up of donated food items or to ask questions call: Jackie Cutshall 583-0323 or e-mail rpcutshall1@fuse.net.
Northeast Emergency Distribution Services pantry volunteers Jackie Cutshall, Bob Cutshall and Sally McConaughy. PROVIDED