Program News 2010
Bronx Beacon Hosts an International Food Festival
In May, Bronx Beacon participants traveled the world without taking a transatlantic flight at the Beacon's annual International Food Festival. Though no passports were required, close to 150 attendees did circumnavigate the gym to partake in cuisine from across the globe, from Nigeria to India to China to Peru (and regions in between); each plate was an edible map. While the food is the main focus of this event, it's the fellowship that emerges from a shared meal that is often the most filling and sustaining feature. The festival encourages communication and healthy, positive family time and interaction, which we strive to promote among the families we serve.
The festival is an event that is open not only to all Beacon programs (i.e. after-school program, teen program, adult education programs), but also to the school in which the Beacon operates, MS 45, as well as the surrounding community. For some attendees, it is their first introduction to the Beacon and its services, though the core diners are usually Beacon participants, such as 10 year-old Justin and his mother Delicia who have been going to the festival for the past two years. "I always try to support them [by attending the festival] because they're always very welcoming" says Delicia. Luis Reyes, who teaches an evening computer technology class in the adult education program, invited his entire class to come, along with their families.
While the whole Beacon "family" was seated around the dining table, Beacon staff seized the opportunity to make some family announcements including information about a rally against budget cuts to youth services programs. One of the Beacon's "siblings" even attended: Dominique Volney, Foster Parent Recruiter at GSS' Family Foster Care Program, addressed the group about the need for foster parents and staffed an information/recruitment table.
This culinary feast would not have been possible without the generosity of New York Life Insurance Company. The company underwrote the cost of the event and provided in-kind support through a team of volunteers since it took place in May, which is their Global Month of Service: dovetailing nicely with the festival's international focus. Sylvia Hill, Beacon Program Director, said "thanks to New York Life the Beacon was able to offer a wider variety of food than in years prior." The volunteers praised the event, with one describing the overall experience as "not good, but excellent." Jacqueline Quinones, the New York Life volunteer team leader, was struck by participants' appreciation: "everyone kept saying thank you...everyone was so grateful."
Since attendees' responses are the barometer of an event's success, we feel that we can proclaim the International Food Festival a triumph as the resounding question posed by this voracious group was, "Can we go back for seconds?"
