~~The Crittenden County Extension Service partnered with the Inter Agency Council of Crittenden County to help provide food and Christmas gifts to limited resource families in the county.  The families must attend three classes on topics including but not limited to food and nutrition, gardening, resume writing and financing to qualify for this program.The Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program Assistant offered two separate classes on food budgeting.  Twenty families attended these classes.  Participants learned how to make out of shopping list, a weekly menu, to check weekly specials at the local grocery stores for bargains and how to stretch their meals using less expensive foods, such as substituting beans for meat.  They learned how to use coupons to purchase the items they will need for their planned meals. At the end of the class, 90% said they had learned how to prepare better meals on a budget and stretch their food dollars so they did not run out of food before the end of the month.  Participants also stated they would recommend the class to their friends.