FACS Holidays at Home 2020 Road Show Program

According to 2019 US Census Data, the median household income in Leslie County is $31,627.00 and 32.3 % of the population of Leslie County is living in poverty.

Holidays are often an exciting time of the year.  However, holidays in 2020 came with added stress such as holiday spending, Covid-19 quarantines, mental, physical, and financial stressors. Leslie County citizens, especially those living at or below poverty may benefit from access to all the educational information and help them manage better financially during the holidays.

To assist individuals in understanding and responding to stress resulting from holiday expenses and Covid-19 related issues, Leslie County Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences Education, Vicki Boggs, in partnership with all Quicksand Area Family and Consumer Science Agents planned and prepared a “Holiday Roadshow” Bag-to-Go Program.  Emphasis was placed on understanding how implementing holiday budgeting and other cost-saving strategies including preparing gifts, decorations and foods that are homemade can help individuals to reduce not only financial stress but also mental and physical stress.  Programs distributed included FACS Holidays at Home 2020 Use less, spend less, stress less this holiday season educational materials on financial saving and spending tips, Challenges to boost you budget and COVID considerations for shopping, all makings of a happy new year!  Lots of family fun low-cost recipes and craft materials and supplies were also included.  

 Follow up surveys and Program evaluations revealed one thousand one hundred eighty crafts were made, three hundred- three recipes were tried, 96% percent indicated they had made at least one positive financial decision, while 91% of participants implemented at least one money saving strategy.  A total of four thousand seven hundred dollars was saved.  Many comments were shared by participants, some were: “The annual holiday showcase provides me with new healthy recipes that are tasty and cost efficient”.  “Each year I come away with new craft ideas that I can make and sale to supplement my income”.  “My kids looked forward to the crafts in the grab and go bags”.  

2020 FACS Holiday Roadshow Educational Program provided great tools for teaching and encouraging families about making cost-saving decisions.  Financially stressed families equipped with new knowledge are then able to make better financial decisions, especially during the holidays, which leads to a less stressful and more enjoyable holiday season!