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Feed Me Fresh An Edible Evening

Mount Kisco Child Care Center Celebrates 20 Years of Feed Me Fresh

August 16, 2024 by Aidan Lane

Finding affordable childcare and early education has long been a complex math problem: Parents must navigate limited availability, high costs, and varying standards of care. And this is only one side of the equation. Working parents often are forced to choose between maintaining financial stability and staying home. However, a possible solution to this problem was established in 1971 at Mount Kisco Child Care Center.

“Because we understand the transformative power of equitable access to quality care and early education for children and families, MKCCC works hard to build awareness regarding the needs of the childcare industry and advocates on behalf of working families to increase access for all,” says Paula Backer, Director of Development. This non-profit childcare organization cares for over 145 children, ages three months to eleven years of age, in a 20,000-square-foot community-built facility. Beyond just a care center, MKCCC helps working families thrive by providing high-quality childcare and education through innovative, appropriate programming and a holistic approach to supporting family needs.

At the core of this exceptional organization are the teachers. Backer notes, “Their care and passion for what they do is evident the moment you step into a classroom.” These qualified and experienced educators foster a distinctive mutual support and caring environment, benefiting the students and the entire team.

Yet, solving this complex equation is far from straightforward. Childcare is in crisis, with costs exceeding what most families can afford, while centers struggle to pay competitive wages. The pandemic worsened the situation, causing a significant labor shortage. New York State lost 42% of its early childcare workforce, and many centers closed or reduced classroom sizes, leading to a severe shortage–MKCCC’s waitlist has reached 500 children.

During the COVID crisis, government funding helped keep centers afloat, but this support has ended while inflation and labor market competition persist. Without renewed financial support, there is grave concern for the future of centers and the families that rely on them. This math problem remains unsolved, and without adequate resources, the equation may become increasingly difficult to balance.

Mount Kisco Child Care Center is renowned for hosting impactful, community-oriented events, including the annual gala to raise scholarship funds for the MKCCC Scholarship Fund, Feed Me Fresh: An Edible Evening. The 20th Feed Me Fresh event is the hallmark of Mount Kisco Child Care Center’s innovative seed-to-table nutrition curriculum, developed with the expertise of nutritionists, early education teachers, chefs, and farmers. This program integrates hands-on farming activities in the center’s playground gardens with cooking classes that utilize the seasonal produce grown and harvested by the children. The initiative is further supported by an in-house Feed Me Fresh food service team, which provides fresh, healthy, homemade meals and snacks through sustainable methods, supporting local agriculture whenever possible.

Inspired by this program, local restaurants and chefs joined forces 20 years ago to create a fundraising event that celebrates the principles of Feed Me Fresh: nutritious, sustainable, and delicious food. Over the years, this event has transformed into a night of culinary excellence, featuring delectable samples from beloved local restaurants. These establishments not only donate their food but also create immersive experiences at their tasting stations. Keira Treanor, President of the Board for MKCCC, further notes, “We raise a huge portion of our scholarship budget at this one event, and you can always feel the love and support from every guest. Although the gala is very large, at over 300 guests, it feels like a small family gathering, making it my favorite and most special occasion of the year!” The event has grown beyond expectations, offering all attendees a unique and memorable experience.

In addition to the culinary delights, we are thrilled to celebrate twenty years of this event and its significant impact on our organization. Treanor adds that she is particularly excited as we honor two extraordinary members of the MKCCC family, Ruth Goodman, and Peter Schwarz. Their unwavering dedication and commitment to the MKCCC mission epitomize the best of what this childcare center stands for.

Over the years, Feed Me Fresh has evolved into the largest funding source for the Mount Kisco Child Care Center Scholarship Fund, enabling us to continue our vital work in the community. As MKCCC reflects on this milestone, they remain committed to solving the complex financial equation of childcare access and affordability, ensuring every child can thrive in a nurturing environment. For more information, please visit mkccc.org

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Affordable Child Care, childcare, farm-to-table, Feed Me Fresh An Edible Evening, Mount Kisco Child Care Center, Working Families

Feed Me Fresh to Support MKCCC’s Need-Based Scholarships

August 24, 2021 by The Inside Press

Becki Fleischer with the Shaves at a previous Feed Me Fresh: An Edible Evening event.

Mount Kisco Child Care Center (MKCCC) 17th Annual Feed Me Fresh: An Edible Evening event on Saturday, September 25 will benefit MKCCC’s need-based scholarship program. In its 50th year, MKCCC’s Scholarship Initiative, which is a combination of government subsidy, private, family and corporate foundation support, corporate and individual donations, and proceeds from special events, enables MKCCC to fulfill its mission of providing children with access to affordable, safe, high-quality early care and education.

Over the last five decades, MKCCC’s exceptional program has served close to 7,000 area children.The Center is committed to its successful service model–balancing families who can pay the full fee for care with families who require need-based scholarship support to attend. MKCCC is proud of its diversity, which benefits the children, families, and the community, and is committed to creating an environment that fosters the practice of understanding, cooperation, tolerance, and respect.

Feed Me Fresh: An Edible Evening showcases delicious food from local restaurants that subscribe to the same culinary philosophy as MKCCC–serving locally grown and sourced food and supporting local agriculture. Through its Feed Me Fresh seed-to-table nutrition program, MKCCC has created a hands-on curriculum that builds a natural appreciation for fresh, whole food. Tickets are available for $275 per person ($250 each before September 1st). For information about tickets, donations, and sponsorship opportunities, please visit https://mkccc.org/events/17th-annual-feed-me-fresh-an-edible-evening/ or contact Helen Bock, 914.241.2135 or bock@mkccc.org.

Filed Under: Happenings Tagged With: child care, Feed Me Fresh, Feed Me Fresh An Edible Evening, fundraiser, Mount Kisco Child Care Center, Need Based Scholarship

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