The Central Minnesota Foster Grandparent Program presented a large-quantities cookbook to the Central MN Red Cross Thursday, Jan. 8. This cookbook will help the Red Cross in disaster situations to feed 25, 50 and 100+ people efficiently. The Foster Grandparent Program engages volunteers age 60+ to give back to their local communities by helping children with special and exceptional needs at local schools, Head Starts, daycares, and residential programs, 15-40 hours per week. The program provides training at monthly in-services concerning ADD/ADHD, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, change, listening skills and how to effectively read with children. Included in the 2002-2003 in-service schedules were subjects that provided information on how Seniors/Foster Grandparents can be of help in the Homeland Security area. American Red Cross was included in the schedule, along with diversity and the Jacob Wetterling Foundation. From these presentations the Foster Grandparent Program discovered many new activities for Foster Grandparents to participate in such as childcare at disaster centers and telephone duty. The idea for compiling this recipe book was brought to our attention by Beth Bromen, Executive Director of the Central MN American Red Cross. In her presentation, Bromen discussed the need for recipes that would serve large numbers of people at disaster centers. Following her presentation, Foster Grandparent Sue Seawell suggested putting together the Disaster Recipe Book, and volunteered to type the recipes. The recipes are on the right side of the book (white paper), and the shopping lists are on the left side of the book (green paper). The book was designed in this manner so a Red Cross volunteer can pull the shopping list out and be on his/her way to the store to purchase the necessary ingredients. Foster Grandparents are always looking for ways to serve. They currently participate in churches and city government, taking an active part in their communities. Foster Grandparents volunteer an average of fifteen to 40 hours per week and receive a small tax-free stipend ($2.65 per hour). Other benefits include transportation assistance, annual medical review, accident and liability insurance while on assignment, a daily lunch or meal allowance, education and training, paid vacation and sick leave, recognition and social activities. If you or someone you know would enjoy giving time, talents and energy to volunteer with a program that is personally fulfilling and socially rewarding please call Jean Yager toll-free at (866) 895-7992.
