By Amy Modesti
HAYC3 (Hoosick Armory Youth Center and Community Coalition), along with the Hoosick Falls community, came together for an evening of art, live music and macaroni and cheese last Friday evening, January 26, as part of the “5th Annual Feed Your Soul Feed Your Neighbor” community event. All of the proceeds from the event went towards “Feeding Hoosick,” consisting of local food programs that are provided by St. Mark’s Community Dinner, Immaculate Conception holiday food baskets and the HACA food pantry to help individuals within the Hoosick Falls community that are in need of food.
As part of the family-friendly event, patrons were able to purchase their own hand-made clay bowls made by various local artisans, students, and adults on the premises of HAYC3. A Makers’ Market offered hand-made knitted hats and scarves, home-made soaps, fudge, maple syrup, jams, and other products all produced and sold by local artisans and local eateries such as Beechwood Berry Farm (East Hoosick), Hoosick Hickory (Hoosick Falls), Running Brook Sugar Shack (Hoosick Falls), CB Dairy (Eagle Bridge), and others. Talented local guitarist and vocalist Tavo Carbone was on hand performing live music throughout the evening inside the Owls Nest.
Mac and Cheese Front and Center
But the big event was really the mac and cheese. The menu featured nine different options including traditional, tomato, spinach and bacon, spicy four cheese, broccoli, shrimp scampi and bacon, cheeseburger bacon, and Tex Mex. Diners who saved a little room had the chance to enjoy “sweet treats” including dessert brownies and tarts, all prepared in premise by Hoosick Kitchen Catering.
Founded nearly 20 years ago, HAYC3 aims to foster the well-being of the community through a variety of initiatives including: Rural revival, arts, wellness, youth and community programs; small business incubation; community events and outreach and community partnerships. To learn more about programs and rental space for businesses and events, visit HAYC3.org.