Whiz Kids: Food Dudes of Madison, CT

Name:       Food Dudes of Madison, CT

Members:  56 Madison Families

Accomplishments:  For four years Food Dudes of Madison, CT has been working to fight hunger in the Town of Madison, the State of Connecticut and The Horn of Africa!  While this may sound like a great deal of work to some, this industrious group of Madison families have been continually expanding their horizons.

Last year the group delivered 872 lbs. of food, 9 turkeys and $470 in on line donations to the Connecticut Food Bank for Thanksgiving distribution statewide.  This translated into 2,352 meals for needy Connecticut families.

This past summer they planted, tended and cultivated vegetables and herbs from their Bauer Park garden.  From their harvest they delivered 40 lbs. of fresh food to the Madison Food Pantry.

The global project that Food Dudes has adopted is the Edesia’s 11.11.11 Projects “to help save the lives of children who are suffering from severe malnutrition in the Horn of Africa.” To date the group has raised about $1,800 dollars.

Key to Awesomeness:  The Food Dudes saw the problem of hunger affecting their neighbors and friends and decided to make a difference.  “We started Food Dudes four years ago because a number of these families, including our family, were interested in creating projects that connected our kids with the community,” said Helen Sisk, who, along with her family, started Food Dudes.  “We felt like hunger was an easily relatable idea.”

For the Thanksgiving food drive each Food Dude family solicits family, friends and neighbors for donations and there are donation boxes in every Madison Public School and various local businesses.

“I think the thing that makes Food Dudes so special is that it is an organization that is giving kids and teenagers an opportunity to work on projects that help in the fight against hunger,” said Helen.  “A lot of our projects focus on helping others kids, whether it’s kids in Connecticut or kids who are suffering from hunger or starvation around the world.”

“It makes me happy to know that my friends and I can do things that help other kids in Connecticut and around the world stay healthy and have enough food to eat,” said nine year old Ben Sisk.

His friend and fellow third grader at Jeffrey Elementary school, Max Genther, joined the group this year with his family. He said he “feels happy that people are actually getting food.”

The Bauer Park garden benefitted families in Madison through the Madison Food Pantry.  As a group the Food Dudes “dug our own rows, we planted all of our own vegetables, we weeded, we watered,” said Helen.  “Then we started seeing the tomatoes peeking out and the green peppers and the cucumbers and the squash and it was so exciting to see the whole process.” 

Max said even though the garden was hard work it was worth it, “because if people don’t have fresh food then they will starve.”  

“It’s a great thing,” said Max.  “It’s a good way to have fun with your friends and help people at the same time.  I feel happy that we are helping them,” said Max. “I feel useful.”

Ben said that participating in Food Dudes is a win-win situation for everyone. “Do what you can to help others,” he said.  “And you can make a difference in someone’s life.” 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Food-Dudes-of-Madison-CT/156007624497040

To contribute to the 4th Annual Thanksgiving For All Food Drive, to support the Connecticut Food Bank, November 7 - November 18, 2011, bins are located at:

SHORELINE HEALTH & FITNESS

CLINTON: 141 Main Street

OLD SAYBROOK: 210 Main Street

COLDWELL BANKER - MADISON OFFICE

752 Boston Post Road, Madison

LEARNING VILLAGE OF MADISON

503 Old Toll Road, Madison

(on Rt. 80 across from Roberts Market)

DIAL M for MOVIES / JELLY BEANERY

200 Boston Post Road, Madison

MADISON PUBLIC SCHOOLS