Happy Holidays from Hunger Intervention Program

Thanks to all of our volunteers and supporters, kids, seniors and their families are having a warmer, food-filled winter. This past year, your hard work has helped to prevent 165 local elementary students from wondering where their next meal will come from each week. Our Senior Meal has grown to welcome more than 50 seniors weekly for a warm, nutritious meal and important time to socialize with friends. HIP volunteers are also helping to feed hungry minds at the local library, providing a daily snack each week. And then there is the huge impact of summer meals when volunteers donated over 4,000 hours to make it possible to feed kids and their parents nearly 7,000 meals.

You have done some amazing work this year. Unfortunately hunger continues to exist in our community but thanks to you, we at HIP feel prepared to meet the challenge and help to make sure all of our neighbors have the food they need.

We hope you have a warm and fun-filled holiday season surrounded by family and friends.

Sincerely,
HIP Staff & Board

A sweet treat for the holidays…

Chocolate Cherry Clusters
Makes 18 – 20 clusters
These delicious bites were a hit at our weekly Senior Lunch this year and it is easy to adapt them to whatever you have on hand. Try dried cranberries or raisins. Add chopped nuts or another type of cereal. The clusters are an easy treat for kids to help make and would be great for your holiday parties or as a gift for friends. Adapted from Everyday Food

Ingredients
3 cups cornflakes
3/4 cup dried cherries
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

Directions
In a large bowl, mix together cornflakes and dried cherries.

Stovetop Method: Place 1/3 of the chocolate in a medium heat proof bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Stir occasionally until chocolate melts, 3 – 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add remaining chocolate, stirring until melted. Microwave Method: Place the chocolate in a bowl and microwave for 30-second increments, stirring after each, until melted.

Add cornflake mixture to chocolate and gently stir together with a rubber spatula until cereal and cherries are completely coated.

Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls onto two parchment-lined baking sheets and let set in a cool, dry place for one hour.