“Just in time for his 95th birthday, Kingston man creates Endowment Fund for Loving Spoonful”

What a way to celebrate!  Just before his 95th birthday, Mr. Hans Blaser of Kingston has single-handedly created an endowment fund to support fresh food and health in Kingston and Area.  The Loving Spoonful Fund, established this month at the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area, will provide on-going funds for school garden programming, community kitchen workshops, the direct provision of fresh food to those in need and community engagement about, and around, good food.

Mr. Blaser, born in Switzerland in April 1922, took his time to consider his donation.  “I encountered Loving Spoonful in 2014 at their Food Fiesta.  I liked their philosophy of openness and the work they did around healthy food.  I followed their development for a few years and decided to invest.  They were working toward sustainability and growing sustainably.”

About the school garden and cooking programs that Loving Spoonful runs, Mr. Blaser said, “I was exposed to this lifestyle since the 1920s.  School garden plots, cooking classes … sauerkraut making, just as important as singing and sports.  I remember at 5-1/2 years old being out in the school garden and using that food to prepare lunch.”

“I like the opportunities Loving Spoonful provides.  If people cannot achieve something, they die, so we need to give people opportunities to achieve.  Loving Spoonful does that in the gardens and the community kitchens.”

Loving Spoonful Executive Director Mara Shaw shares her gratitude on behalf of the healthy food charity.  “Mr. Blaser told us, ‘Kids will be thanking you for years to come.’  The thanks belong to Mr. Blaser as he ensures that there will be fresh food programming at schools, in community centres and across the region for years to come.  He also said that he “hope[s] that the creation of the Fund with this donation lays a foundation for others to build upon.” We couldn’t be more grateful for his act of generosity.  We will ensure every dime is spent prudently providing the best food and food programming possible.’

Mr. Blaser turns 95 on April 30th.

Photo:  Mr. Hans Blaser signs the papers to create the Loving Spoonful Fund – with  Loving Spoonful Executive Director, Mara Shaw (left) and Community Foundation for Kingston & Area Executive Director, Tina Bailey (right).  Photo Credit: Viara Mileva Photography

By: Mara Shaw, Executive Director of Loving Spoonful
559 Bagot St
Kingston, ON  K7K 3E1
Office:  613-507-8848
Cell:  613-217-9404
executivedirector@lovingspoonful.org
www.lovingspoonful.org

Read a recent article published in the Kingston Whig-Standard here.