Making art to fill hearts at NOSH

At just 10 years old, Cal Krinsky is making a significant impact in his community by leading an art program for the NOSH food pantry. The program, named “Heart with ART” after his separate charity, aims to bring creativity and joy to the children who are recipients of the pantry’s services.

Cal, who has a passion for art, initially became involved with NOSH through his mother, Jaime Teich. When NOSH put out a call for help due to funding lapses that left their shelves nearly empty, Teich, who regularly donates to local food pantries through her organization, Love Your Neighbor Project, shared the situation with Cal. This conversation sparked an idea.

“We thought about donating art supplies to the kids,” Teich said. “But then we connected with NOSH’s founder, Courtney Callahan, who suggested we could do more.”

That suggestion led to the creation of Heart with ART, a four-part art series that Cal now leads for NOSH. The program invites children, ages 8 to 11, who are either recipients or volunteers at the pantry, to explore various art mediums and create artwork that will decorate NOSH’s farmers market space.

Cal’s first class, held last week, focused on still life paintings of fruits and vegetables—fitting for a food pantry that provides fresh produce to those in need. The paintings created by the children will be displayed at the farmers market within NOSH’s pantry, adding color and warmth to the space.

“It’s really just like painting,” Cal said of the experience.

Callahan expressed her admiration for Cal, calling him a “nonprofit entrepreneur” who has managed to start a meaningful project at such a young age.

“It’s remarkable to see a 10-year-old defy the odds by not only creating art but also figuring out how to give back,” Callahan said. “He’s breaking the glass ceiling for kids.”

She added that the program’s goal goes beyond just teaching art; it’s about fostering a sense of community and dignity.

“We really want to incorporate the NOSH recipients into the process,” Callahan said. “This art isn’t just for decoration—it’s a statement of food dignity, and it’s created by the kids who are part of our NOSH family.”

Cal’s efforts are supported by local professional artists like Julia Lynette, who assists him during the sessions. The first class focused on using acrylic paints on canvases made from recycled palette dividers, adding an eco-friendly element to the project.

As Cal continues to lead the Heart with ART program, his mother remains committed to letting him take the reins.

“I’m here to facilitate and assist,” Teich said, “but this is Cal’s project, and he’s learning and growing with it.”