When women die after a battle with cancer, they often leave a partner behind. He’s then left to cook, clean and maintain a household – often for the first time.
It’s an issue Anna Kostakos has come across repeatedly. She’s been leading the Northern Cancer Support Group in Mill Park since 2008 when she lost her own parents to cancer in just three agonising months. So the Mill Park resident decided to offer a six-week cooking course for men. The first course ended last month.
“There was a need for them to find their way around the kitchen, cook quick meals and learn how to do the grocery shopping. ”
Ms Kostakos had four participants in the course and has just been granted funding from the City of Whittlesea’s community grants program to run another one later this month.
The grant will enable the widowers to buy cooking utensils, plastic take-away containers and a wok. Ms Kostakos also hopes to hire a professional cooking instructor.
The first course relied on the cooking skills of Ms Kostakos and three other volunteers, who operated in the community kitchen at Plenty Valley Church.
In each session the volunteers taught the men how to shop for, and cook, a healthy meal. And at the end of the class they all sat down to share the meal and have a chat.
The Northern Cancer Support Group is looking for volunteers. If you’re interested in offering your time or would like to join in the next cooking course, email Anna on communitycookingclasses4men@yahoo.com.
