Memorial Hospital announces workshop series for kids in July focusing on benefits of family dinners

CARTHAGE, Ill. — Memorial Hospital’s Health and Wellness Team is offering a series of free, engaging and educational workshops for children and teens, sponsored by the Tracy Family Foundation.

These workshops, titled Together at the Table, aim to teach kids and teens essential life skills while promoting the benefits of family dinners.

In these workshops, the children will gain knowledge on hospitality and how restaurants function, presented by Director of Hospitality Brad Culpepper. They will spend hands-on time in the kitchen preparing a full meal with leadership from head chef Amber Clark. Each child must invite two adults to enjoy the meal and learn more about the Family Dinner Project from registered dietitians Ashlyn Housewright and Julie Shoemaker.

Dates and Grades:

• Monday, July 22 – Children entering 2nd and 3rd grade
• Tuesday, July 30 – Children entering 4th and 5th grade
• Wednesday, July 31 – Children entering 6th through 8th grade

For each workshop, children will arrive at 9 a.m. Adult guests will arrive at 11 a.m., and the event will end at noon.

A workshop for high school students will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, July 25. Teenagers attending will spend hands-on time in the kitchen preparing snack items with leadership from registered dietitians Ashlyn Housewright and Julie Shoemaker. They will also build a “Dinner in a Box” meal kit to take home and prepare later for a family meal. While enjoying the snacks they prepare during the class, they will participate in a fun game inspired by the Family Dinner Project while learning more about the initiative.

This free event will offer an opportunity for children and teens to learn essential skills, enjoy hands-on cooking and understand the importance of family meals.

Register at https://www.mhtlc.org/services/health-wellness-center/teaching-kitchen/.

For more information, contact the Health and Wellness Team with questions by calling 217-357-6540.

The Family Dinner Project is a nonprofit organization that champions family mealtimes as an opportunity for family members to connect, communicate, and strengthen their relationships. They provide resources and support to help families make mealtime a meaningful part of their daily lives. Learn more at https://thefamilydinnerproject.org/.