Community Partner and Board Member Honored with Mid-Hudson School Study Council Award
On June 4, 2025, Fallsburg Board of Education member, Renee Kates, and co-founder of the A Single Bite program, Sims Foster, were honored with Awards for Excellence by the Mid-Hudson School Study Council. Ms. Kates was the award winner in the School Board Service category, while Mr. Foster was recognized in the Community Service category.
Although the original ceremony took place on May 7th at the North Rockland Central School District, Mr. Foster was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict. His recognition was instead postponed to the most recent Board of Education meeting.
A Single Bite is an initiative that was supported by Catskill Food Hub, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health outcomes and supporting local agriculture. For several years, the program has established itself as a crucial safety net for families across Sullivan County. According to its website, they have delivered over 200,000 servings of food to families in need since early 2020 —equivalent to about 700 servings per week.
Distributing meals to families is not the program's only mission. Mr. Foster has also implemented an education component, donated backpacks, and organized field trips for students to visit farms and restaurants that use locally sourced food.
Among those in attendance during the recognition ceremony was Ms. Robbie Greene, Executive Director of the Mid-Hudson School Study Council, who presented the award to Mr. Foster. "Through Sims Foster's leadership and generosity, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to equity and social responsibility, ensuring that no child in the Fallsburg school community goes hungry," said Ms. Greene.
Renee Kates, who received her certificate at the ceremony in May, was recognized for her eight-year tenure on the Board of Education. Most notably, she has played a key role in implementing several ambitious building projects and initiatives. She is also known for her unparalleled ability to connect with others and build lasting relationships.
The Fallsburg Central School District wishes to congratulate Ms. Kates and Mr. Foster for receiving this prestigious honor. The district is proud of its community members who are committed to education and a better future.