"There are always people that need help, and this is something I’m capable of doing.”
Students Give Back Through Sodexo Meal Program
When Sam and Arlene started cooking community dinners through our food service job training program, they had no idea how important their roles would become. With dreams of opening a bakery for Arlene and a catering business for Sam in mind, the husband-and-wife couple really just wanted to sharpen their skills in the kitchen and help out their community while they had the free time. “I believe in giving back to people, in helping people in need,” Sam explained. “I’ve been doing it ever since I started volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, building houses for the homeless. There are always people that need help, and this is something I’m capable of doing.”
Sam learned about the program through a friend who’d been through it before, and Arlene figured she may as well join him when COVID cleared her schedule up. However, what started with serving 50 or 60 people soon turned into steady crowds of over 100 on each of the two nights per week they cooked.
Sam and Arlene have stuck it out in the program, which typically graduates people within a few months, throughout this entire pandemic because they knew their help was needed. “I don’t give up on anything in life,” Sam told us. “If I’m gonna start something, I’m gonna finish it. Plus, I saw the need grow a lot.”
Arlene says the program has helped them, as well. “I’ve always loved to bake, but now I know what temperature each meat needs to be cooked to, and what would happen if something isn’t cooked properly or is left out too long. I feel much more confident as a cook now. ”
We sincerely thank Sam and Arlene for showing up for their community twice a week, every week through the pandemic. Their hard work is admirable and so appreciated.
|
