Some Leechburg Area School District students are learning how good things come to those who wait as part of a slow cooker class at the First United Methodist Church.
The slow cooker cooking program at the church, about a block away from the middle/senior high school, is in its second month and with its second group of students.
Participating students are selected by district officials and referred to the church’s outreach program.
“We wanted to help with the community,” said outreach committee chair Lori Klingensmith. “That’s why we called it the Caring Crock-Pot Ministry. We’ve felt like there were kids in the high school that might now have an opportunity to learn to cook with a Crock-Pot, and maybe their parents have them cooking for them to have the dinners ready.”
Classes take place Wednesday afternoons and feature different meals each time.
Klingensmith prepares a meal for the children to eat in her slow cooker before class because most of the dishes take from four to six hours to make.
She has them learn the recipe and mix the ingredients in separate slow cookers at the church to take home and finish cooking.
Those cookers are then returned. Students who complete the several-week course receive their own slow cooker, a recipe book and a certificate.
“I think it’s been wonderful,” Pastor Sara Wrona said. “I just arrived here in the beginning of July, so when I heard this was in the works and being developed, I was so excited to reach out into the community. The fact that the school is right behind the church is such a blessing.”
Current participants include eighth grader Abby Shea, 13; freshman Ally Stanonis, 14; and sixth grader Josey Smorey, 11.
Smorey said her favorite part of the class was “cooking,” and Ally and Abby said they loved “eating” more.
They all made shredded Mexican chicken dip Wednesday. It featured boneless skinless chicken breasts, canned kernel corn, black beans, salsa and cream cheese.
Students learned how to drain and rinse ingredients and later played a game with measuring cups and spoons.
Josey said she was unsure about salsa before the class, but now “it’s OK.”
The girls also talked about their favorite desserts, pizza and other meals they hope to learn how to make.
Ally’s mother, Carly Henry of Leechburg, said the opportunity is a boon for her daughter and fellow students.
“I think it’s good for the kids so they can learn some life skills and help to learn how to prepare meals and take care of themselves when they’re grown adults,” Henry said.
“She just started. I think it’s an exciting thing, especially for (her). She has a disability, and food is part of the disability. Teaching her how to do food correctly and prepare food correctly and handle it safely is always going to be a bonus for her.”
Ally was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome. It is a rare genetic multisystem disorder that can result in various physical, mental and behavioral issues, according to the Mayo Clinic.
“She doesn’t require as many calories as different people, and she always feels hungry,” Henry said. “Food safety is very important for her.”
Meatballs are on the menu for the next class.
“We were very intentional on looking at recipes that the kids would like,” Wrona said. “Some of the older generations were like, ‘We have to teach them to make a pot roast.’ That’s not what the kids wanted to eat or learn to cook.”
Recipes offered in class included chicken parmesean, sloppy joes, meatballs and other chicken dishes.
About eight to 10 women volunteer to help with the classes.
“We’re very blessed in this church with the women that are willing to help in it,” Klingensmith said. “Some like to be in the kitchen. Some people like to be hands-on with cooking. Some like to talk with the children and see how their day’s going and what activities they’re doing in school.
“We couldn’t do it without them. They are doing it out of the goodness of their hearts.”
The next group of students is expected to participate in November.