Rescue Squad trailer donation boon to high school culinary class

Contributed by Mike Feazel

A food trailer donated by the Lake Monticello Volunteer Rescue Squad to the Fluvanna High School culinary classes “will be used to cater events and also fundraise for the department,” said culinary teacher Jonnay Grooms. 

“The students will cook food to order and serve to the guest,” Chef Grooms said. “We plan on doing a lot of events around the county since we now can cook on the go.” 

The rescue squad donated the trailer to the school because “we want to give back to the community, and what better way than to help young, upcoming men and women in the county schools,” said Squad Chief Eddie Shifflett. 

The rescue squad had obtained the trailer from the Madison County Volunteer Rescue Squad and never found a good use for it, Shifflett said. 

“I have been seeing several posts from the culinary class,” Shifflett said. “And think it’s great to have a skill when you come out of high school, whether it be EMT certification, culinary, shop, anything to give them an opportunity to succeed. I hope it helps motivate them to grow and help them raise money. And it’s something future classes can build on and keep the momentum going.” 

The trailer will need a little work, Chef Grooms said. “We plan on purchasing all new equipment for it. We also have planned to ask the art classes at FCHS to paint it and the carpentry students to help out with building shelving and other things needed. We will be fundraising to get money to purchase all necessary equipment and items for the food trailer.” 

Chef Grooms said the trailer will benefit the culinary classes by “getting real-world work experience. Most students enrolled in culinary already have a job in the industry but others who don’t will be able to see how it is to really work on a line and cook food to order. This donation is so special to us. I have been teaching at FCHS for five years now, and I have always wanted a food truck for my students. This year, the students have been catering events non-stop, and they always mention how cool it will be to have a food truck. And now we have one, and we are so appreciative.”