Kate Bennett’s first year at Impact 100 has started off with a charitable bang! Last year Kate had the opportunity to work on the Health & Wellness Committee. She participated in the site visit for the Lighthouse Youth Services, Anthony House Outreach and even had the task of writing the executive summary. Little did she know the Anthony House would be awarded a grant and that would take her on an amazing journey! After the Anthony House won, Kate had a feeling about the Anthony House. She was impressed with them and felt close to the project. Here’s why:
Kate’s older brother had a history of mental illness. He was more fortunate than most because the family took him in and attended to his physical and emotional needs. The young people at the Anthony House are not as fortunate. Kate states “my brother would have been homeless if the family had not intervened.” So she began volunteering for Anthony House in December of 2009, preparing and delivering food to them once a month. “Food connects people on all levels. If not for sustenance, then for nurturing — making them feel cared for.” She loves to cook and finds comfort in taking meals to the residents of Anthony House each month. “I try to keep my costs for meals between $35–$50 and I feed between 20–25 teenagers. When I see a sale at Kroger, I stock up! They recommend we limit the lettuce salads because they are so perishable. So, I focus on protein, vegetable and either a grain or carb. I enjoy delivering a bit of dessert too — I think it feels more like a treat to the homeless teenagers.”
Kate and her husband Steve moved to Cincinnati from Buffalo, New York. They are not strangers to teenagers, as they have a blended family of seven children, two of whom are still at home.
Thank you Kate for all you do. We are so glad that Impact 100 helped you find another meaningful way to give back.
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