New monthly program for families in Thompsonville

ENFIELD—Thursday, January 16th, will kick off Tonight in Thompsonville, the first in a series of monthly dinners and activities planned for families at St. Patrick Church Parish Hall from 5:15 pm to 7:30 pm.

Tonight in Thompsonville is provided by Educational Resources for Children, Inc. (ERfC) in collaboration with the Enfield Hunger Action Team (EHAT), local businesses, and community agencies.

The January event will include “Eating Healthy for Life”, presented by Shayla Ranmal from North Central District Health Department. 

ERfC Executive Director, Claire Hall said, “The goal of Tonight in Thompsonville is to provide hands-on activities designed for parents and children to enjoy together and for community providers to share information about health, nutrition, physical activity, and other programs including SNAP, Care4Kids, and other programs that provide individual and family information and assistance.

 ERfC Volunteer & Project Coordinator, Roger LeBlanc, said Tonight in Thompsonville evolved from the Summer Lunch Bunch project, a USDA program that provides free lunches for children and their parents during the summer.

LeBlanc said many Enfield families are struggling as a result of the economy and the recent cuts to assistance programs at all levels. “The hope is that this project will provide some relief and present possibilities for moving toward self-reliance,” he added.

Pam Brown, Director of Social Services and a member of EHAT said, “In celebration of the Magic Carpet Bus in Enfield’s one year anniversary, the bus will be free of charge throughout the whole week of January 13th.” Any families that wish to ride the Magic Carpet bus to Tonight in Thompsonville on January 16th may do so for free. For information on bus routes and times please visit http://www.enfield-ct.gov/magiccarpet or call Enfield Transit Service at 860-272-3545.      

Other Tonight in Thompsonville events planned for the school-year include:  Strengthening Families with Ruby Gainen from Community Health Resources on February 13; Creating a Crock Pot dinner on March 20th with Michelle Mattia, ShopRite Dietitian; Banking Games on April 24th with Jacquelyn Miller from Nutmeg State Federal Credit Union; and Reading Fun & A Family Barbecue with an all-star cast on May 22.

For specific dates and a calendar of events for Tonight in Thompsonville call 860-263-9935, email LeBlanc at rleblanc@erfc.us, or visit the ERfC website at www.erfc.us. The ERfC administrative office is located at 50 Post Office Road, Enfield.