Community Kitchen Graduation

Friday was graduation day at the food bank. Our Community Kitchen class of 14 students graduated from the 16 week food service skills training program. It was a very special recognition event for our largest graduating class ever. The Break Away Café was standing room only filled with relatives and friends of the students, staff from the food bank, class instructors and food bank board members. The comments made by all the speakers were terrific and centered around one theme. This program has enabled each of the students to make a significant change in their lives……but now it is truly up to each of them individually to make it happen. Debra Vajgrt, a program graduate from a year and a half ago, and now an employee of the Community Kitchen working with further developing the internship relationships with foodservice operators, was the key note speaker. She spoke from a very personal perspective since she has reaped the benefits of the program and really turned her life around. Her comments were very moving and I believe hit home with each of our graduates. Best of luck to all our graduates!