TEST KITCHEN DONATION

Pothitakis makes donation to new YMCA Test Kitchen

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FORT MADISON - Dr. Mark Pothitakis presented YMCA Test Kitchen (YTK) with a $5,000 donation Tuesday to help with the newly formed YMCA Test Kitchen.

On January 1st Elliott Test Kitchen merged with Fort Madison Family YMCA to form YMCA Test Kitchen.

Elliott Test Kitchen was founded in 2015 by Kumar Wickramasingha to give students a “home kitchen” like atmosphere where they could get help with their homework and have a nutritious hot meal at no cost.  Thus, the mission statement of “Celebrating education, music, and great food,” was born.  With the help of local educators, businesses and many individuals Test Kitchen grew into the non-profit it is today.

Today Elliott Test Kitchen is now known as YMCA Test Kitchen.  Along with the name change, a new face is part of Test Kitchen.  Karen Siefken, YTK Administrator, may be new to YTK but she has a 23-year history of work with the Muscatine Community Y and Burlington Area Community YMCA and nearly 30 years of experience in the non-profit field. 

Siefken said, “We’ve been fielding lots of questions about how this change is going to affect the program.  The simple answer is people shouldn’t notice any changes other than the name and the Y logo.  Kumar is transitioning into retirement and other ventures, but he will always be available to provide help, guidance, and encouragement.  All YTK programs will remain free of charge.  We will continue to celebrate education, music, and great food”.  What is not changing is YTK will remain 100% responsible for its own income and expenses.  Any donations given to YTK will remain with YTK.  By merging with Fort Madison YMCA YTK will be looking at adding some new programming ideas.

YMCA, Fort Madison, Test Kitchen, Dr. Mark Pothitakis, donation, Kumar Wichramasingha, Pen City Current, news, charity

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