Nonprofit Spotlight
Nonprofit Spotlight
The Culinary Program of End Hunger is a 10-week noncredit program offered by the 501(c)(3) nonprofit End Hunger in Calvert County. The program is provided for people who are at least 16 years old, have learning differences, and are seeking employment in the food service and catering industries. The program's vision is to foster an inclusive and growing community of individuals who are moving toward independence and meaningful employment. The program's mission involves improving the lives of people with learning differences and disabilities by offering vocational training, developing life skills, and fostering community.
The Culinary Program of End Hunger introduces foundational culinary and workplace readiness skills to students. In the program, students receive hands-on instruction in the classroom and the kitchen lab. The pre-apprentice culinary skills they acquire prepare them for an entry-level position in the food industry. Such skills include equipment handling, measurement conversions, and plate presentation. Along with these topics, students learn about the National ServSafe Food Handler Curriculum. The workplace readiness skills that they learn also let the students gain and retain employment. The skills include workforce professionalism, basic budgeting, and interviewing skills. Since grant funding is given to End Hunger in Calvert County, the program is highly accessible and students can enroll for free.
When students finish the program, they receive a certificate of completion. Students also join the alumni program, where they can access more training and events. The alumni program also provides field experiences and job opportunities through End Hunger in Calvert County's employment partners. Working with the hiring partners gives students more expertise that is useful for succeeding in the food industry. Overall, program graduates continue receiving resources as they continue navigating the journey toward independence.
The program enrolls six students per session, and applications are accepted on a rolling admission basis. Classes are held at the Chesapeake Church on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The program requires students to have several attributes for admission and success. For example, students must know how to regulate their behavior, manage mild stress, and respond appropriately to unsafe situations.
For more information, visit the nonprofit's website or social media pages. The organization can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
The information used in this article was collected from Nicole Mulholland and the nonprofit organization's website.
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