Success Story: The Holiday Road Show

The Problem: In the Quicksand Area, many families struggled with financial strain during the holiday season. The pressure to host elaborate meals and decorate homes often led to overspending, exacerbating financial stress for already vulnerable households.

The Educational Program Response: To address this issue, the Quicksand Area Agents developed the Holiday Road Show, a comprehensive educational program aimed at helping families plan budget-friendly holiday meals and decorations. The program focused on teaching practical skills such as meal planning, budgeting, and crafting homemade decorations.

The Participants/Target Audience: The Holiday Road Show targeted families, Homemakers, and individuals across the eight counties of the Quicksand Area. Participants came from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, but all shared a common desire to celebrate the holidays without breaking the bank.

Other Partners (if Applicable): The Quicksand Area which consists of Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry, and Wolfe.

Program Impact or Participant Response: Initial evaluations revealed promising results. A staggering 85.4% of participants stated they could identify ways to save money when planning holiday meals, while 86.4% could develop a budget-friendly shopping plan. Furthermore, 86.9% of participants intended to create holiday menus using budget-friendly foods, and 81.7% planned to apply the five shopping trip strategies for budgeting in future holidays.

Details About the Program: The Holiday Road Show was delivered by dedicated Quicksand Area Agents who traveled to all eight counties to show a recipe and 2-3 craft/decor items. Participants got to see all the craft items, learn about budgeting, and taste the different recipes. Participants learned practical tips and tricks for creating memorable holiday experiences without overspending.

Impact Data from the 3-Month Follow-Up: The success of the program extended beyond the initial workshops. Three months later, over half of the evaluation respondents reported making positive financial decisions and implementing at least one money-saving strategy learned from the Holiday Road Show. The collective money saved due to the program amounted to an impressive $3,765, demonstrating its tangible and lasting impact on participants' financial well-being.

In conclusion, the Holiday Road Show exemplifies the power of education and community collaboration in tackling financial challenges during the holiday season. By equipping participants with practical skills and resources, the program not only empowered families to celebrate within their means but also fostered a sense of financial resilience that extended beyond the holiday season.

Booklets 382

butterscotch cookies 21

gingerbread 24

frozen hot chocolate 22

reindeer chow 29

moist chocolate cake 19

pecan pie bark 64

sugar cookie truffles 13

Total amount of recipes made or anticipated to

be made 192

DIY junk tree 10

fabric Christmas tree 12

gift wrapping ideas 29

holiday card gift boxes 13

pine cone trees 10

pine cone garland 4

pine cone wreath 8

mason jar lid ornament 18

Christmas rolling pin 9

Holiday mason jar Christmas décor 21

Christmas wreath from recycles plaid 12

Yarn Christmas tree 25

loop yarn Christmas tree 6

wastebasket snowman hat 24

Christmas tree garland 21

holiday simmer pot kits 114

Christmas tassel tree 6

Total amount of craft items made or

anticipated to be made 342