Brian Kantz, Buffalo, NY-based writer and editor

MAY 2008 - THE AMHERST BEE

Brian was profiled in the May 15, 2008 edition of The Amherst Bee, a weekly community newspaper in Western New York:

A high five and a hot lunch

Meals on Wheels is about comradery

by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Amherst Meals on Wheels volunteers say they get as much out of the program as the recipients.

The volunteers look forward to knocking on the clients' doors just as the clients do to opening them.

Unaffiliated with the city or county Meals on Wheels programs, the Amherst service relies greatly on its volunteers to deliver to 200 homebound members on weekdays.

The volunteers are responsible for delivering two meals, one hot and one cold, to their clientele. There are 12 routes.

Brian Kantz and his two young sons deliver for Meals on Wheels once a week.

As a stay-at-home dad and writer, Kantz started delivering in 2005 when his son, Brendan, now 3, was a baby.

"I decided I wanted to do some type of volunteer activity with him, and you are limited with a baby in your arms," he said.

Two people are assigned to a route, so Kantz, his partner and baby would make their rounds. Having a partner comes in handy on inclement days or when the young volunteers decide they need a nap en route.

Brendan and his younger brother, Patrick, 1, both help dad and greet the clients with a smile, a handshake and high fives.

"They get a kick out of it," Kantz said about the residents on their route.

The boys have developed special bonds along the way and learned important lessons.

Kantz said his sons have learned about having respect for the elderly and that helping others is just the way of life. They also learned about loss when one of Brendan's favorite clients passed away, and his father had to explain that they wouldn't be seeing him anymore.

He added that there are times when the boys would rather stay home and continue playing, but when told, "There are people waiting for their lunch, and we are the ones to bring it," they are happy to go.

"They can be lonely, and stopping for a few minutes gives them human contact," Kantz said of the clients. "We have such a good time. Just to see their smiles, and the boys like the attention."

Cliff Whitman, a social worker with Meals on Wheels, said Amherst runs a wonderful program, noting that the "volunteers are the program."

"You have to have purpose in your life ... a meaning for you. It's what makes you whole," he said. "A balanced life is some giving to others and to yourself."

He said the program also helps look after fragile individuals. By visiting each day, volunteers can keep a watchful eye on these clients. But it also goes both ways.

"The participants care about the volunteers as much as they do about them," Whitman said.

Founded in 1975, Amherst Meals on Wheels serves homebound, mostly elderly and handicapped residents. For $7 a day, they receive two meals.

Director Anne Marie Howard, who has been running the program for 14 years, said volunteers also help with the packaging of food in the kitchen.

"We always need volunteers," she said, adding that there are 350 on the regular and sub lists.

Anyone wishing to volunteer can call 636-3065. Those interested in applying can call the same number.

NOVEMBER 2007 - BEST LIFE MAGAZINE

Brian was quoted in the “Family & Fatherhood” column in the November 2007 issue of Best Life, a national magazine from the publishers of Men’s Health. In the article, “How to Ensure Your Second Child Doesn’t Feel Second Best,” here’s what Brian had to say:

Take him with you—everywhere. You†don’t have to be focused on your infant at all times. Just strap him to your chest while you futz around at the hardware store. “Whether you’re carrying†your child in a Baby Björn or just in your arms, he receives a lot of attention and easy kisses that way,” says Brian Kantz, author of Stay-at-Home Dad. Stay. Good†Boy. “Even when his maniac sibling is jumping off the walls, a†held baby is a content baby.”

JULY 2007 - THE BUFFALO NEWS

Brian was profiled in the Sunday, July 15, 2007 edition of The Buffalo News:

Ex-Medaille publications director settles in as a stay-at-home dad

By Louise Continelli NEWS STAFF REPORTER

(Photo by Harry Scull)

Don’t call Brian Kantz a “Desperate Househusband.”

He prefers the title “stay-athome dad.” Kantz is one of many men who’ve chosen to stay home with their children, waving the morning “bye-bye” to the missus with the briefcase.

“I foresee the day when ‘stayat- home dads’ will supplant ‘soccer moms’ as a parenting force — and voting bloc — to be reckoned with,” predicts Kantz, 34, who gave up his job as Medaille College’s publications director three years ago to care for his family, now including 4- month-old Patrick and almost 3-year-old Brendan.

Numbers of these dads are growing to the point that there are yearly at-home dads conventions.

Kantz said he and his teacher wife, Amy — they met in a Canisius College philosophy class — agreed “that if and when we were blessed with a baby, one of us would stay at home to raise the child.”

“We didn’t want a stranger raising our kid, and we didn’t want the burden of our child being placed on a relative,” he said. “We’d save our money and do whatever else it took to live on the salary of one liberal arts graduate.” And so they did.

“We’re both thrilled with the decision,” he says.

Like many of these fathers, Kantz has discovered that with the Internet revolution, if you’re lucky enough, you can nearly “do it all” — thrive with an athome career while still refusing to pass off the toddlers to other people.

Kantz is also a freelance writer who passes on parenting tips to national magazines such as Men’s Health and Best Life.

In documenting the lows as well as the highs of the nurturing life, Kantz transformed his household experience into columns for Western New York Family magazine, providing the familial fodder for his new “Stay-at-Home Dad. Stay. Good Boy.” collection of essays.

“Because our society is so geared toward career achievement, I’ve had to fight the notion that becoming a stay-athome parent is just a free pass to Easy Street,” Kantz says.

“As I left my former job, I noticed that people who don’t have kids would shake my hand longingly and say, ‘Wow, you’re so lucky to be doing this. I’d love to just get out of here and do my own thing.’ I could tell they were picturing me sleeping in and watching Seinfeld reruns all day long. The former coworkers who do have kids, however, knew better. They patted me on the back . . . the poor sap headed for the Isle of You Have No Idea What You’re In For.”

Kantz has even managed to fit in some volunteer work, hoping that it’ll be a good learning experience for the boys. He volunteers with the local University at Buffalo-based chapter of First Book, a nonprofit organization providing books to kids from low-income families.

He’s also one of the few male volunteers to bring a baby on his Amherst Meals-on-Wheels route.


Brian Kantz



		© 2008 Brian Kantz • All rights reserved • Contact Brian

	MAY 2008 - THE AMHERST BEE Brian was profiled in the May 15, 2008 edition of The Amherst Bee, a weekly community newspaper in Western New York: A high five and a hot lunch Meals on Wheels is about comradery by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor Amherst Meals on Wheels volunteers say they get as much out of the program as the recipients. The volunteers look forward to knocking on the clients' doors just as the clients do to opening them. Unaffiliated with the city or county Meals on Wheels programs, the Amherst service relies greatly on its volunteers to deliver to 200 homebound members on weekdays. The volunteers are responsible for delivering two meals, one hot and one cold, to their clientele. There are 12 routes. Brian Kantz and his two young sons deliver for Meals on Wheels once a week. As a stay-at-home dad and writer, Kantz started delivering in 2005 when his son, Brendan, now 3, was a baby. "I decided I wanted to do some type of volunteer activity with him, and you are limited with a baby in your arms," he said. Two people are assigned to a route, so Kantz, his partner and baby would make their rounds. Having a partner comes in handy on inclement days or when the young volunteers decide they need a nap en route. Brendan and his younger brother, Patrick, 1, both help dad and greet the clients with a smile, a handshake and high fives. "They get a kick out of it," Kantz said about the residents on their route. The boys have developed special bonds along the way and learned important lessons. Kantz said his sons have learned about having respect for the elderly and that helping others is just the way of life. They also learned about loss when one of Brendan's favorite clients passed away, and his father had to explain that they wouldn't be seeing him anymore. He added that there are times when the boys would rather stay home and continue playing, but when told, "There are people waiting for their lunch, and we are the ones to bring it," they are happy to go. "They can be lonely, and stopping for a few minutes gives them human contact," Kantz said of the clients. "We have such a good time. Just to see their smiles, and the boys like the attention." Cliff Whitman, a social worker with Meals on Wheels, said Amherst runs a wonderful program, noting that the "volunteers are the program." "You have to have purpose in your life ... a meaning for you. It's what makes you whole," he said. "A balanced life is some giving to others and to yourself." He said the program also helps look after fragile individuals. By visiting each day, volunteers can keep a watchful eye on these clients. But it also goes both ways. "The participants care about the volunteers as much as they do about them," Whitman said. Founded in 1975, Amherst Meals on Wheels serves homebound, mostly elderly and handicapped residents. For $7 a day, they receive two meals. Director Anne Marie Howard, who has been running the program for 14 years, said volunteers also help with the packaging of food in the kitchen. "We always need volunteers," she said, adding that there are 350 on the regular and sub lists. Anyone wishing to volunteer can call 636-3065. Those interested in applying can call the same number. NOVEMBER 2007 - BEST LIFE MAGAZINE Brian was quoted in the “Family & Fatherhood” column in the November 2007 issue of Best Life, a national magazine from the publishers of Men’s Health. In the article, “How to Ensure Your Second Child Doesn’t Feel Second Best,” here’s what Brian had to say: Take him with you—everywhere. You†don’t have to be focused on your infant at all times. Just strap him to your chest while you futz around at the hardware store. “Whether you’re carrying†your child in a Baby Björn or just in your arms, he receives a lot of attention and easy kisses that way,” says Brian Kantz, author of Stay-at-Home Dad. Stay. Good†Boy. “Even when his maniac sibling is jumping off the walls, a†held baby is a content baby.” JULY 2007 - THE BUFFALO NEWS Brian was profiled in the Sunday, July 15, 2007 edition of The Buffalo News: Ex-Medaille publications director settles in as a stay-at-home dad By Louise Continelli NEWS STAFF REPORTER (Photo by Harry Scull) Don’t call Brian Kantz a “Desperate Househusband.” He prefers the title “stay-athome dad.” Kantz is one of many men who’ve chosen to stay home with their children, waving the morning “bye-bye” to the missus with the briefcase. “I foresee the day when ‘stayat- home dads’ will supplant ‘soccer moms’ as a parenting force — and voting bloc — to be reckoned with,” predicts Kantz, 34, who gave up his job as Medaille College’s publications director three years ago to care for his family, now including 4- month-old Patrick and almost 3-year-old Brendan. Numbers of these dads are growing to the point that there are yearly at-home dads conventions. Kantz said he and his teacher wife, Amy — they met in a Canisius College philosophy class — agreed “that if and when we were blessed with a baby, one of us would stay at home to raise the child.” “We didn’t want a stranger raising our kid, and we didn’t want the burden of our child being placed on a relative,” he said. “We’d save our money and do whatever else it took to live on the salary of one liberal arts graduate.” And so they did. “We’re both thrilled with the decision,” he says. Like many of these fathers, Kantz has discovered that with the Internet revolution, if you’re lucky enough, you can nearly “do it all” — thrive with an athome career while still refusing to pass off the toddlers to other people. Kantz is also a freelance writer who passes on parenting tips to national magazines such as Men’s Health and Best Life. In documenting the lows as well as the highs of the nurturing life, Kantz transformed his household experience into columns for Western New York Family magazine, providing the familial fodder for his new “Stay-at-Home Dad. Stay. Good Boy.” collection of essays. “Because our society is so geared toward career achievement, I’ve had to fight the notion that becoming a stay-athome parent is just a free pass to Easy Street,” Kantz says. “As I left my former job, I noticed that people who don’t have kids would shake my hand longingly and say, ‘Wow, you’re so lucky to be doing this. I’d love to just get out of here and do my own thing.’ I could tell they were picturing me sleeping in and watching Seinfeld reruns all day long. The former coworkers who do have kids, however, knew better. They patted me on the back . . . the poor sap headed for the Isle of You Have No Idea What You’re In For.” Kantz has even managed to fit in some volunteer work, hoping that it’ll be a good learning experience for the boys. He volunteers with the local University at Buffalo-based chapter of First Book, a nonprofit organization providing books to kids from low-income families. He’s also one of the few male volunteers to bring a baby on his Amherst Meals-on-Wheels route.