Monday Munchies a hit with kids

Growing up in Whitehall, Darcy Volz fondly remembers spending time in the kitchen with her mom learning how to cook.

She is now sharing her experience with local youth at a Monday Munchies event every first and third Monday of the month the Whitehall Community of Christ Church located at 88 First Rd. At each session, kids are not only taught how to cook, but they also learn about the food they are cooking.

Volz said the idea behind the event is to not only get kids into the kitchen, but to also introduce them to using fresh foods and not just something they can put into the microwave.

After the first several Monday Munchies, Volz said the response from the kids has been great and they really seem to like learning to cook.

She said everyone who has attended a class has come back, and while the first event had four students, the number has grown with additional classes.

She said has also heard from a parent who had said they have never seen their kids eat that many vegetables. She stressed the importance of giving kids more exposure to fresh goods, and that is a good way to get them to enjoy vegetables.

Her father Dan Volz said a rule of the class is that kids have to try everything, and it is a great way to introduce them to new things. He said it really broadens their horizons.

Darcy said learning to cook when she was young gave her a lot of confidence when she moved and went to college. Darcy said she was able to prepare a meal for herself, rather than living off of mac and cheese.

At last week's Monday Munchies, the kids learned how to make tacos, brownies, and frozen yogurt.

Dan Volz said he has heard one parent say their kids have already made one of the dishes they learned how to make three times.

The next Monday Munchies will take place March 6 at 6 p.m.

Darcy said because they need to know how much supplies they need to buy, and also to have enough supervision to contact her at 406-490-9494 if interested in attending.