Local nonprofit Uncomplicated Kitchen hosted their sixth annual community fall event, Pumpkins in the Park fundraiser at Bridge Park, downtown Sylva, on Oct. 3.
Supporters, sponsors, and vendors from all over the community filled the park Saturday afternoon. The event included fun fall-themed activities such as pumpkin painting, pumpkin bowling and pumpkin smashing.
The afternoon featured wildflower seed-bomb making presented by Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, and information conversations held by Friends of Panthertown on how individuals can get involved with keeping Panthertown Valley clean and healthy for public use. As well as live music from local bands like Steel and Strings and Tasha and the Methodists.
The fundraiser aimed to raise money for Uncomplicated Kitchen to continue their efforts in teaching on food literacy. Offering free classes to every age group, their goal as an organization is to teach members of the community how to cultivate their own food as well as shop for and cook healthy, affordable and simple meals.
The little ones got to paint pumpkins during the fundraiser event Pumpkins in the Park, Oct. 3. Photo by Malachi Lannon. 
Uncomplicated Kitchen founder Jenna Kranz poses with a friend during the fundraiser event Pumpkins in the Park, Oct. 3. Photo by Malachi Lannon. 
During the Uncomplicated Kitchen event on Oct. 3 people made seedballs. Photo by Malachi Lannon. 
There was fun for everyone during the fundraiser event Pumpkins in the Park, Oct. 3. Photo by Malachi Lannon. 
There was fun for everyone during the fundraiser event Pumpkins in the Park, Oct. 3. Photo by Malachi Lannon.
“It’s not that people did not want to cook on their own. They just didn’t know how. Nobody teaches people how to cook anymore. There are all these organizations that give food, but who is teaching people how to use the food that they are getting? Uncomplicated Kitchen’s whole mission is to help people do the best they can with the food they have access to,” founder Jenna Kranz said when asked what inspired her to start the nonprofit.
By the end of the day, Uncomplicated Kitchen was able to raise around $4,000, which will entirely go back into the organization. The funds raised will be used to continue teaching the community, providing better food security and overall making Jackson County a better place for those who call it home.
To donate or find further information on the nonprofit and its upcoming classes within Jackson County, visit uncomplicatedkitchen.org.
