Graduates end 2023 with promising new careers

December 21, 2023

This morning we celebrated the accomplishments of 22 students who successfully completed our culinary and warehousing/logistics training programs!

The graduates expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to participate in these life-changing programs.

They include:

Logistics, Operations, General Warehousing and Inventory Control (L.O.G.I.C.)

Deborah Bridgeford
Joan Brown
Brandon Evans
Kendrick Miller
Linnon Mills
Jayvon Moore
Jadon Shanklin
Leroy Sims
John Sniadowski
Jahmar Williams
Jessica Pate-Woolman

The Culinary School

Leland Aiken
Tevin Brisseau
Shericka Burrow
Ebonee Cook
Stephen Culbert
Kevin Lowman
Thomas McCall
Keirra Murray
Boima Seh
Faith Washington
Ramona Washington

The students spent the past 14 weeks learning the ins and outs of their respective fields. From proper knife handling techniques to ServSafe ® certification and completing a two-week work experience, the culinary students are prepared for entry-level jobs in the food service industry.

On the other hand, the L.O.G.I.C. students learned how to safely maneuver and operate warehouse equipment like fork lifts, pallet jacks, end riders and more. Program participants worked towards earning the nationally-accredited Manufacturing Skill Standards Council’s Certified Logistics Associate and Certified Logistics Technician credentials, forklift and OSHA-10 certification.

In his remarks to students, Operations Instructor Lloyd Badson advised, “Don’t let anybody diminish your accomplishments.”

Nancy Dalton, Head of Community Experience and Customer Marketing for Amazon Access provided inspiring keynote remarks.

“My childhood was not easy. I often wondered why there were so many hard things I had to endure, and I did not know there was purpose in my pain. I was becoming,” she said. “I am grateful that people saw something in me that I at times did not see in myself… I have evolved from living in a family that relies on food stamps to leading Amazon’s food stamp acceptance program. I get to build programs that meet the needs of millions of underserved families and kids just like me.”

For L.O.G.I.C. graduate Jayvon Moore, the training program opened new doors. “I came to this program with no experience, I never had a job before and now do I not only have a job, I have a career,” he said. “I am just thankful. I appreciate you.”

Culinary graduate Stephen Culbert said, ” I didn’t think I was going to make it here… There were a lot of years in life, where I did the wrong thing, and I finally turned my life around, and I want to thank the Food Bank for that. This is like a new beginning for me. I am taking full advantage of it.”

Thomas McCall also expressed his thanks for the program. “What the Food Bank Culinary School does is gives you a recipe for success in life,” he explained. “You have it, now you just have to put it in practice. I just want to thank everyone.”

The next training programs at the Food Bank of Delaware in Newark and Milford begin in January. To learn more, click here.