Norwalk Public Schools chefs prepare meals each month for Open Doors, a local shelter. Photo courtesy of Norwalk Public Schools
The Chartwells K12 team at Norwalk Public Schools in Norwalk, Connecticut, has expanded its food service offerings beyond the four walls of its cafeteria this school year through a partnership with Open Doors, a local shelter that provides meals throughout the Norwalk community.
The food service team first heard about Opendoor through Steven. BrowningNorwalk Cafeteria Leader Westlock Middle Schoolhad volunteered at the shelter in the past, and given Open Door’s ties to the community, the team thought they would be the right organization to work with.
“Many of our staff are members of the community,” said Angela Valentin, Chartwells K12 Resident District Manager.“Because they worked in the food service industry, they knew a lot of families who would benefit from Open Door Meals.”
Chartwells K12 staff now provide meals to the shelter every month as a way to give back to the community at large.
Looking for volunteer opportunities
In the early stages of the partnership, the foodservice team visited the shelter to learn more about what volunteer opportunities were available.
“We took a tour, got background information on the facility, and checked out the kitchen and service processes.” Valentin.
The initial plan was for the team to prepare and volunteer to serve one meal a month at the shelter, but they later discovered they only had volunteer openings in April and decided to focus solely on preparing meals each month.
When choosing what to serve, the team ensures that meals are balanced, including at least a protein, grain, vegetable and dessert.
Meatball sandwiches, baked pasta and roasted chicken with rice and beans are just some of the main dishes the team prepared for the shelter.
“We wanted [the meals] “To appeal to all age groups.” Valentin.
Jeans for Charity Launch
The team donated the funds needed to fund the first batch of meals they prepared, but knew they needed to come up with a more sustainable financial model going forward.
Instead, they launched Jeans for a Cause, which allows any nutrition staff member who donates $1 a week to Open Doors Meals to wear jeans to work on Fridays.
Valentin Worked together Wellness & Student Engagement Manager, Chartwells Kelly Gruber We created a flyer to promote the initiative and it quickly became popular among our team.
“We had a pretty good turnout,” he said. Valentin“So far we’ve raised over $500.”
Valentin Because of the success rate of Jeans for a Cause, the company is considering expanding the initiative next year to include other activities, such as a toy drive during the holiday season where employees who donate toys can wear jeans to work.
Overall, the team has really enjoyed their partnership with Open Door. Valentin That’s especially true, she said, because many of the families who attend the meal service have children who queue up in the school cafeteria every week.
“That makes it even more sentimental,” she said, “knowing I’m giving back to the kids I see every day.”
