Food Bank for Westchester Receives Donation of Character Development Games

June 3, 2010 - PRLog -- Millwood, NY - (June 3, 2010) – The Food Bank for Westchester (FBW), which has been fighting hunger in Westchester for 20 years, has received a donation of 1,000 ethiKids’ “what’s the deal?” character development games. ethiKids is dedicated to developing character in children by providing fun and engaging materials that create open dialogue between them and the adults in their lives. The games will be distributed to after-school providers and to FBW’s Kids Café, its after- school hot meal and nutrition education program for children who are hungry and at risk of hunger.

“what’s the deal” provides a fun and safe way for children to learn, practice and reflect as they follow the exploits of two fictional characters, Fiona and Luke, and help them develop solutions for the sticky situations in which they find themselves.

Across the country, 12 million children live in households that are food insecure. In Westchester County, 35% of the 200,000 residents who are hungry or at risk of hunger are children. In addition to the myriad challenges faced by children who are hungry, they also experience peer pressure, fallen role models and poverty.

Fiona and Luke make it easy for parents to engage in a dialogue with their children, explore their values systems and help them develop skills essential to their well-being. Children are able to develop such characteristics as honesty, respect and gratitude - characteristics that enable them to accept personal responsibilities and take appropriate action in questionable situations.

“ethiKids shares the Food Bank’s dedication to helping children in our communities who need additional support. We are very grateful for their donation,” said Christina Rohatynskyj, Executive Director, Food Bank for Westchester.

Laurane Magliari, founder, ethiKids, said that its support of the Food Bank for Westchester is a natural fit. “what’s the deal?” helps kids develop their own values-based internal compass and essential life skills that will serve them well as they navigate through a challenging social environment – preparing them to handle defining moments that present themselves.”

The Food Bank for Westchester distributes five million pounds of donated, surplus and purchased food and groceries each year, helping to feed some or all of the 200,000 women, children and men who are hungry or food insecure in Westchester County. Every year the Food Bank for Westchester saves the Westchester community more than three million dollars over the wholesale cost of food distributed

It solicits and administers donations from both the public and private sector, distributing food through approximately 200 hunger relief member agencies. Its core activity is the collection and distribution of donated, government and purchased food. The Food Bank distributes more than five million pounds of food to member agencies annually.

The Food Bank for Westchester is located at 358 Saw Mill River Road, Millwood, NY 10546. For more information, visit www.foodbankforwestchester.org or call 914-923-1100.

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About Food Bank for Westchester: The Food Bank for Westchester, one of eight food banks in New York State, acquires, warehouses and distributes more than five million pounds of food annually to 200 Westchester County hunger relief organizations, including food pantries and soup kitchens, among others. Its mission is to lead, engage and educate Westchester County in creating a hunger-free environment. Its core activity is the collection and distribution of donated, government and purchased food.