Schaumburg culinary students hold charity soup lunch
The Culinary Arts Department at Schaumburg High School was converted to a festively decorated soup kitchen as students and staff held their 14th annual charity soup lunch on Friday, Dec. 8.
For a small donation of nonperishable food items, participants were treated to a variety of soups and pastries all prepared by Schaumburg High School students.
Kerry Frost, a teacher in Schaumburg's Family and Consumer Science Department, said the annual event is a favorite of many people throughout the school.
"We have people asking when the soup kitchen is as soon as the school year starts," she said.
The event is designed to raise food for the school's Magic Closet and Blessings in a Backpack. These organizations are designed to provide students in need with food and school supplies. Frost said the annual event collects the most items for both school charities.
According to Frost, there had been discussion of moving the event to a later time, but it was decided to keep the event paired with the holiday theme.
"Everybody seems to be more charitable this time of year," she said.
Junior Sarah Gorman agrees with Frost's belief. She volunteered to help because it combined her passion for cooking with her love of giving back.
"I helped last year and really loved it," Gorman said. "It felt like a great way to give back."
Though basic planning for the event began in August, Frost said a lot of the work began Monday, Dec. 4. During the week, students in the Chemistry of Foods classes worked to prepare 57 gallons of soup, as well as 240 dinner rolls and a variety of baked goods.
Frost said food and monetary donations from the Illinois Farm Bureau and Get Fresh Produce contributed greatly to reduce the cost to host the event.
Throughout the day, students served more than 200 guests, which included staff and alumni of Schaumburg High School.
Mack Baxter, a social studies teacher and self-proclaimed soup connoisseur, said he looks forward to this event every year.
"It's a lot of fun," he said. "I make it an annual thing."
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