The Spark

54% of Americans said that they felt overwhelmed with clutter filling up their homes.

And it’s estimated that only 20% of the things we own are actually used, according to a LexisNexis study.

Mara Pritchard, Founder of The Beautiful Sort professional organizing company and Abby Shank, CEO of Tiny Estates and Live Tiny LLC join us to tell us about the importance and benefits of home organization and minimalism.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Music stimulates many areas of the brain, including those responsible for memory, movement, mood, and gets different parts of the brain working together simultaneously, according to a new report from the Global Council on Brain Health.

Researchers found that music can improve sleep, sharpen memory, reduce stress, and stimulate thinking skills — all of which are good for maintaining brain health as we age.

Kevin Shorner-Johnson, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities at Elizabethtown College, joins us to tell us about their new musical peacebuilding program and the benefits of music.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the past two years, attractions, events, and gatherings have been put on hold due to COVID-19.

But as the pandemic recedes, more events and attractions are coming back and new ones are coming to the surface.

On September 6th The Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau launched a Fall Fun Trail that provides people within the community an opportunity to gather and enjoy family friendly activities.

Aaron Jumper, Public Relations Manager for the Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation, joins us to provide the details.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday is World Alzheimer’s Day.

Alzheimer’s disease is caused by damage to nerve cells or neurons in the brain that can lead to loss of memory, communication, confusion, poor judgement, behavioral changes and ultimately difficulty in speaking swallowing and walking.

It's estimated that 6.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s dementia. As baby boomers age, it’s expected that more people will develop Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer's Association says 12.7 million could have disease by the year 2050.

Appearing Monday's Smart Talk to discuss a disease that has no cure is Sara Murphy, Vice President of Programs and Services for the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Pennsylvania Chapter.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Universal School Meals Program Act was passed last year to ensure that every child had free lunch regardless of income, as the pandemic brought more food insecurity to homes, but the program cut when Congress reduced pandemic-era spending in the 2022 budget.

Congress did not extend United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service authority to allow all students to eat school meals free of charge in school year 2022 to 2023, a choice that will effect around 10 million children this school year, according to Forbes.

Dr. Patty Bennett, Regional Administrator for the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, said all students will receive free or reduced school school meals, this year there's just one additional step, to submit an application.

Last Friday Governor Tom Wolf announced his over $21 million dollar plan to provide universal free school breakfast for 1.7 million students across the commonwealth this school year. Bennet said, the USDA is thrilled about this but families will still need to submit applications for school lunch.

Bennet said, application can be submitted at anytime throughout the school year. To apply for free and reduced school meals reach out to your local school district for next steps.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September is Hunger Action Awareness month and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is sounding the alarm.

The COVID-19 pandemic showed there was a hunger crisis in the region, but now with inflation, the hunger crisis continues, said Central Pennsylvania Food Bank Executive Director Joe Arthur.

"We want people to know that the crisis is not done, that the hunger crisis is very much real and at a high level," Arthur said.

Now, much of the support the food bank received in the past few years has gone away.

"Here in 2022, a lot of that support is is tapered down," Arthur said. "So, now we've got the issue of less of those additional kind of emergency resources coming to households. But costs are higher for them."

While unemployment is low, that does not mean people's incomes are higher, Arthur explained.

"We just see a lot of people that were kind of on the edge and now all of a sudden can't quite make the food bill because the gas bill so much higher. Their utilities are higher, their rent is higher," Arthur said. "What we're seeing in our communities is really just this steady increase in the amount of people that are reaching out for help to our partner organizations and them leaning on us harder for more healthy food."

The Food Bank relies on a network of suppliers to stay fully stocked, but there have been supply chain issues.

"Our grocers are wonderful. Our food producers are wonderful, but they're pretty stretched to try to meet demand right now," Arthur said. "And they're facing supply line challenges as well. We're buying more food and unfortunately we have the same challenge of other businesses. Those costs for food are going up, as [are] fuel costs. So, we are managing it."

The best way to help, Arthur said, is to volunteer or contribute financially. To do so, visit www.centralpafoodbank.org

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hispanic Heritage month, which starts today and goes until October 15th, celebrates the history and culture of the country’s Latino and Hispanic communities and how they have contributed to American society.

September 15th was chosen as the starting point for the commemoration because it is the anniversary of the independence of five Hispanic countries.

Jaime Zabala, Founder and President of the Latin American Alliance, Noelia Torres, Public Relations Director of Danza Fiesta, and Meredith Klein, Director of the Philadelphia Argentine Tango School, join us to provide some insight on the Latin American community and their upcoming event, the Latin American festival, which takes place Saturday at 11:30 a.m. in New Holland.

The festival aims to bring together twenty one Latin American countries and present, to the local non-Hispanic community, their heritage and traditions through music, dance, and food.

"Music, it is in our blood," Zabala said. "I think it's even more prominent among the Hispanic countries; music, big gatherings, and food... They all speak of our roots, heritage, and traditions."

Klein said, the best way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month is to get outside of your comfort zone and learn about the culture.

"Hispanic Heritage Month is a great opportunity to say, I'm going to do things outside my bubble," Klein said. "I'm going to go see dance performances, listen to music, try something new that I might not interact with otherwise. And I really believe that those unexpected connections and the things that push us out of our habitual patterns of living and thought, are what keep bringing us into contact with the moment and making our lives richer."

For more information on the Latin American Festival visit latinamera.org.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

College costs have been on a mostly upward trend for the last two decades. High tuition prices, housing, food, transportation, books and other school-related fees can add thousands of dollars to college expenses.

According to U.S. News, In-state tuition and fees at public national universities have grown the most, increasing by over 210%.

Although tuition has increased across the country, Harrisburg University has managed to keep their tuition the same for the past decade.

Eric Darr, Harrisburg University’s President, said the way his university did this is by keeping a goal of student accessibility in mind.

"Universities can have lots of other goals but if your goal is to make your education as accessible as possible, then you'll do things and you'll priorities things and activities to keep costs constrained," Darr said.

He said property management, health care providers, brokers, and fundraises help to make consistent tuition rates possible for the university as well.

Darr said he believes one of the reasons students stay at his university is because of the consistent tuition rates. The tuition is $23,000 and he said, a family would pay on average, after  scholarships and grants about $3,000. Last year, the university gave more than $10 million in scholarships.

"What it means to our students is that they have a chance, they have the opportunity to pay for a life changing career that they find fascinating," Darr said. "Am I able to promise that we're not going to ever raise tuition? No, I can't do that. But can I say we're going to work in the next ten years, as hard as we have over the last ten years, to keep education as affordable as possible. Absolutely, yes."

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.