The Makers: Eating and growing rainbows.

The Makers: Eating and growing rainbows.

The Makers Series is a semi-monthly series brought to you by Preferred Credit Union.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief

“Maker” the word according to Merriam-Webster means, “one who makes” and according to Urban Dictionary, “those who love to create things in their spare time.” Mason County Press is looking around the local areas to find those who consider themselves Makers. Whether they make things for a living or as a hobby, we will uncover many who have a passion for creating things with their hands and sharing those items with the world.

LUDINGTON — Learning how to “make” often begins at a young age. For the past two years, Michigan State University Extension and the Lakeshore Food Club have partnered to provide a free summer program for children ages 4-7 called Eat a Rainbow.

The program met every other Tuesday throughout the summer at the Lakeshore Resource Network, 920 E. Tinkham Ave.

The children planted, cared for the gardens, and harvested what they grow. They had the opportunity to learn about nutrition and the foods they grew through food demos, crafts, games and hands on activities.

“This is a garden to table experience and students often take food home for their families to try,” said instructor Kendra Gibson. “Twice this summer, participants were able to donate food to the food club. The students are so proud of what they have created and they start to learn early that they have a voice in their community. This garden has become an outdoor classroom, a playground, and community meeting space where friendships are made.”

The garden development was funded through a grant from the Margaret Shaw Memorial Fund and a donation from Meijer. 

The class was taught by Gibson, with help from Christine Schulte, along with parent volunteers Becky Alway and Jen Rowe. Kate Lietz and Sarah McMahon of Lakeshore Food Club also assisted with the program.

MSU Extension and the Lakeshore Food Club also offered Walk it Out, a free six week adult wellness program that ran every other week for six weeks. Participants logged miles while they learned simple ways to eat healthier on a budget.

“This program focuses on moving health forward by taking small steps to add more exercise into your day and choosing simple ways to make eating healthier,” Gibson said. “Each session started with a walk through the neighborhood and wrapped up with recipes, a nutrition tips, and food tasting. It was an opportunity to engage in community and make new friends. We appreciate Snyder’s Shoe Store for supporting this program and donating a pair of shoes to one lucky walker.”

Some of the Walk it Out participants.

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