Graduation day: Success demonstrates students’ commitment

April 30, 2025

Wednesday, April 30 was graduation day for Culinary School and L.O.G.I.C. students who successfully completed 14-weeks of workforce training programs at the Food Bank of Delaware.

Family members, friends, and supporters of these students created a standing-room only crowd, overflowing out of our Volunteer Room. Graduation day is typically emotional as tears are wiped way, but often balanced with laughter, and today was no exception.

President and CEO Cathy Kanefsky commended graduates. “You give us so much hope. What you have done takes a lot of courage, but you’ve done it,” she said.

Guest speaker, Paul Gallo, executive chef at Abbott’s Grill at Paynter’s Mill, brought 30 years of food service experience to the podium. He offered students some advice: Be persistent. Be positive. Be prepared. “Make sure you’re happy with what you do,” he said, and those words were echoed by Tim Hunter, the Food Bank’s executive chef.

As each student was presented with certificates of completion plus earned professional certifications, they had an opportunity to address the audience, often thanking family, friends and staff. Some took the opportunity to share challenges they had overcome during the training, revealing a sense of accomplishment and pride.

“I’m proud to be here. It was a tough journey, very emotional. The Food Bank saved my life in many ways,” said Isa Davis. “The beginning was the hardest part, and I know the Food Bank stands behind me.”

In their own words, many of his classmates echoed those sentiments.

The presentation of the Chef Joey Schilling Memorial Foundation scholarship was a highlight of the event; John Schilling, Joey’s father, presented $9,355 to the Food Bank in Evonne Murray’s name, and Evonne, a culinary graduate, also received a set of quality professional knives.

Joey Schilling passed away in 2022; the foundation and subsequent scholarship was created to support and assist aspiring chefs, John Schilling said.

Our Culinary School graduates are Isa Davis, Ashley Dukes, Ashley Gale, Kieran Hyland, D’Angelo Lewis-Harris, Kamille Murphy, Evonne Murray, Kelly Raymond, Karen Schuster, Bryant Thomas, and Tatianna Turner. All of these students earned ServSafe ® certifications, and all have been placed with employers in the field.

Our LOGIC graduates are Whitney Anderson, Justin Cannon, Joseph Damore, Isaiah Hicks, Pierre Lamour, Kevin Perez, Kristina Warren, and James Williams.

To learn more about training programs at the Food Bank of Delaware, visit www.fbd.org/delawarefoodworks.