Hope and Hard Work: Graduation Day at the Food Bank of Delaware

September 24, 2025

Today was graduation day at the Food Bank of Delaware! This morning, we celebrated the accomplishments of 12 students who successfully completed our warehousing/logistics (LOGIC) and culinary training programs!

For us, graduation day is about more than certificates. It’s about courage. It’s about rewriting stories. And it’s about proving that with the right support, barriers can be broken.

“Today, we gather not just to celebrate certifications or milestones but to honor the courage, commitment, and transformation of each of these students,” said Anna McDermott, Chief Impact Officer, as she welcomed the crowd.

Twelve graduates spent the last 14 weeks learning the ins and outs of their respective industries and are now career ready. They embraced challenges, pushed beyond their comfort levels, and grew both personally and professionally.

They include:

Warehousing/logistics:

  • Steve Godia
  • Ronald Johnson
  • Elyse McGinnis
  • Rashed Robinson
  • Tavon Robinson
  • Cordele Stewart
  • Morgan Waters
  • David Way

Culinary

  • Kirsten Fellenbaum
  • Johnathan Lahti
  • Vincent Roy
  • Jordan White

Keynote speaker, Bryant Thomas, owner of Uncle B’s Kitchen food truck and a Milford Culinary School alumnus, stood before the graduates as living proof of what’s possible.

“This program here is very, very, very, very excellent, to say the least,” Bryant said. “All of the connections from this program is worth way more than money. Trust me. So, when you all get out here in the field, just remember, the Food Bank’s got your back.”

Bryant spoke candidly about his journey, from truck driving to running a food truck, to weathering personal losses.

Throughout the morning, instructors and staff shared reflections that revealed just how much heart goes into each class.

Chef Tim Hunter, the Food Bank’s executive chef, spoke of the quiet ways he connected with students each day. He reminded them not to hold on to the weight of the past: “When you pour a cup of water and you hold it out, it’s not real heavy, right? But when does it get heavy? It’s how long we hold it,” he said.

LOGIC instructor Shea McGee said, “Today, we honor eight students who committed to bettering themselves and followed through. Not just with words but with actions.”

LOGIC graduate Tavon Robinson told guests, “I would like to say thank you to my family and the support that they gave to me to make it this far, because, you know, if it wasn’t for them, motivating me, pushing me, and you know being the best that they can be, I probably wouldn’t have been here right now. I probably would’ve still been struggling.”

Culinary graduate Johnathan Lahti said, “I would like to thank first and foremost the Food Bank. You guys gave me a second chance when I didn’t think a second chance is possible for me to have. I want to thank everybody for having faith in me and I want to thank my family and my friends for always pushing me, because I don’t know about you guys, but there are plenty of days I wanted to quit.”

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