In 2005, the staff and friends of North Carolina EFNEP created an endowment to support programs for limited-resource families across the state and to eventually broaden the program to reach new audiences. Program support funds are available to EFNEP educators with at least three years of experience who show innovation in outreach and delivery. These funds also support established annual awards given by the program and a recognition award for EFNEP educators upon retirement. This year’s recipient of the EFNEP Endowment Award is Della Hicks, EFNEP Educator in Pasquotank County.

Della has been a trailblazing pioneer in her mission to consistently offer healthy food demonstrations in her EFNEP classes since she started on November 3, 1997. Her vision for the Endowment Program Support Award is to provide her participants with a mini chopper as an educational skill builder. This simple tool will do more than just assist with food preparation; it will boost confidence, make it easier for participants to access nutritious meals, and give them a new sense of control in the kitchen. This award would go beyond recognizing Della's past achievements; it would be a vital investment in her vision, supplying the resources she needs to continue her transformative outreach and make a tangible difference in her community.

Congratulations, Della!