The City of Wilkes-Barre Health Department in conjunction with Luzerne County Head Start, Inc. and Maternal & Family Health Services will host an infant & childhood nutrition event in the parking lot of Luzerne County Head Start’s Wilkes-Barre office, 23 Beekman St., on Tues., June 21st from 11am-3pm.

Healthy eating at a young age is important for proper growth and development. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025 recommend those 2-years and older follow a healthy eating pattern that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables.

During the event, a $15 voucher for the Wilkes-Barre farmers market will be provided to attendees (one voucher per family). A number of area agencies will also be on hand to provide information, activities and kid-friendly giveaways for those in attendance. Those in attendance include:

• Luzerne County Head Start, Inc.
• Maternal & Family Health Services
• Luzerne Wyoming County MH/DS Early Intervention Program
• Food Demonstrations from the Commissions on Economic Opportunity
• Dinner 4 Kids
• Women, Infants & Children
• Free 2BMom
• Penn State Extension Co-op
• Community Health Bags from The Domestic Violence Service Center
• The City of Wilkes-Barre Health Department’s ‘Healthy Bear’ and ‘Wheel of Health’

Nutrition education materials will also be distributed to families. Plus, don’t miss a special appearance from TUX, the Wilkes/Barre Scranton Penguins mascot from 11am -12pm! The event is free, open to the public and has plenty of parking.

This project was funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant.

Twelve Luzerne County Head Start (LCHS) alumni from six school districts in Luzerne County who will continue their education after high school were honored during LCHS’s 57^th anniversary celebration.  Scholarship recipients are usually recognized at the agency’s annual luncheon, which was canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  In order to celebrate their accomplishments, the agency sponsored a small indoor celebration at its Beekman Street location in Wilkes-Barre.  Recipients were invited to attend the celebration, where they met with their scholarship sponsors. 

The Luzerne County Head Start Alumni Scholarship program was established in 1987 to honor the achievements of former Head Start students graduating from high school and continuing their education.  This year, 12 scholarships totaling $18,100 were presented to students who will pursue higher education.  From 1987 through 2022, scholarships totaling $311,350 have been awarded to outstanding students who began their educational journey at a Head Start program.  Recipients must submit an application and are selected based on academic performance, personal achievements, leadership, motivation and school and community involvement. The scholarship fund is supported in its entirety by community organizations, individuals and businesses. 

In addition to the scholarship awards, LCHS employees were honored at a virtual ceremony earlier in the day for their years of service and dedication to the nonprofit organization.  Awards were also presented to the agency’s 2021-2022 “Outstanding Community Partners,” including Chief Donald Leshko & the Hazleton Fire Department; Joe & Bedonna Mitchneck, founder of the “Toys from Heidi project;” Pastor David Walker and the Dallas United Methodist Church and Caitlin Styczen, Mondelez International.  LCHS’s Outstanding Community Partner award recognizes area businesses, organizations and individuals in the community who have made significant contributions to the Head Start program and who have made a difference in the lives of the children and families the agency serves.