BHS Career Skills Gives Back

“Come to Career Skills to put hunger to an end,” said Haley Riolo.

“Come to room 105, we have food for free,” said Brianna Roberts.

The Brewster High School Career Skills program started Bear Essentials in 2021. “What started out as a way to adapt during COVID, has evolved into so much more," said teacher Donna Schneider. “Our students are gaining experience and confidence to do things we once thought were out of reach.”

The community food pantry provides nutritional support while simultaneously offering structured job training and skill development opportunities for our students. Students are introduced to aspects like inventory management, customer service, logistics, food safety, and basic business operations. These skills can translate directly into future employment opportunities in retail, logistics, nonprofit management, and food service industries.

To date, the Brewster High School Career Skills classroom has handed out 4,500 Filling in the Blank food bags and packed and distributed 450 Bear Essentials bags to Brewster families in need and raised $27,000.00 in donations and food products.

To thank the community partners who make it all possible, the Career Skills crew hosted an appreciation luncheon. Students spent the days before making lasagna, mashed potatoes, lemon chicken, green beans, salad and ice cream cake. They made decorations for the tables, handmade ornaments and memory pillows made out of Brewster green and white t-shirts as parting gifts.

“We love how hands-on the students are in this program,” said Paola Arango from Filling in the Blanks, a non-profit in Norwalk that aims to fight childhood hunger by providing children in need with meals on the weekends.

“Volunteerism in the world is dwindling,” said Marisa O’Leary , “this program teaches students to give back to the community. That’s why this program is so special.” Putnam CAP, which provides support throughout the year and turkeys at Thanksgivings, was represented at the luncheon.

Luncheon attendees who provide food, funding, places to distribute the food and resources for those in need include: Ace Endico, Brewster Elks, Brewster Library, Brewster Rotary, Filling in the Blanks, First Baptist Church, Patterson Rotary, Putnam CAP, The Extended Family and United Way.

Of course, the program could not happen without the support of the district. The Career Skills teachers thanked the District–Superintendent Dr. Michelle Gosh, Maggie Andriello, Dr. Steven Hancock, and Amelia Carpanzano as well as BHS Principal Nikki Horler, Assistant Principal Lauren Cole and Assistant Principal David Carpanzano for the support they have provided to the program. Gratitude was also expressed to Glen Freyer and the Facilities and Grounds crew and Lars Olenius and the custodial staff who had the vision and means to design, build and maintain the pantry that makes our operation possible.

“This group effort means so much to all of us. Thank you. We could not do it without you,” said teacher Sarah Barnes.