Pies Served by Helping Hands
Inland Empire Job Corps culinary arts students Rene Ortiz, Courtland Akken, Vincent Flores, Jenavie Del Toro, Rory Simms, Calvin Poindexter and Pedro Castillo, joined Salvation Army Corps Officer Nancy Ball, Salvation Army volunteer Kathy Brown, Inland Empire Job Corps Learning Director Greg Trammel and Inland Empire Job Corps Executive Chef/Culinary Instructor Michael Geurds in packing boxes that will be used to fill holiday gift baskets for needy families. The students volunteered their help with sorting and packaging after dropping off 100 donated pumpkin pies to the Salvation Army for its recent Thanksgiving dinner.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Delivering pies to the Salvation Army is a holiday tradition for the Inland Empire Job Corps. Every year before Thanksgiving, they bring enough to feed at least 800 people.
This year, seven students from Job Corps culinary arts program went a step further.
After setting 100 pumpkin pies down in the Salvation Army Corps Headquarters kitchen, the students noticed Salvation Army volunteers and staff packing cans and other non-perishable food items into boxes in the community room. The Job Corps students rolled up the sleeves of their chef’s robes, and set to work helping to sort and pack.
“They took that on themselves,” said Chef Michael Geurds, instructor for the culinary arts program. “They saw a need and wanted to help. Our students are always helping others in the community.”
These boxes of food will create holiday baskets the Salvation Army plans to deliver to about 700 families a few days before Christmas.
“The Job Corps students are a great group of helpful young people, and we appreciate the effort and energy they put into helping us every year during the holiday season,” said Capt. Nancy Ball, Salvation Army Corps officer.
They have been providing community service to The Salvation Army for about a decade.
Last year, three students won a culinary competition and donated the $300 prize to the Salvation Army. The past two years, they donated to the Salvation Army and other organizations a collection of gingerbread homes they had created from scratch as a class project.
Inland Empire Job Corps’ service goes beyond donations. They also frequently help with the preparation and serving of up to 200 meals served at Headquarters throughout the year, and with the maintenance of the grounds of The Salvation Army’s buildings.
About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian church and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
For local help, call (909) 888-1336.
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