by Marcia Wittmann, Food Ministry

Roland (Rollie) Rahn, a cherished UUCWC member and co-founder of the Food Ministry, believed that no one should ever go hungry. He loved cooking, and his mission was to prepare meals for the underserved whenever he could. After Rollie passed away in 2015, Lori, his wife, and Renae and Natalie, his daughters, established a scholarship fund to support young adults. 

This June, the scholarship fund awarded $948 to purchase chef knife sets for 11 graduating students of Emilio’s Culinary Academy, a workforce training initiative of the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK). Established in 2020, the academy creates culinary employment pathways for non-traditional students who face significant barriers, such as past incarceration, substance abuse recovery, homelessness, and chronic poverty.

Students receive intensive, hands-on training in menu planning, purchasing, meal preparation, and food safety. In addition, participants receive extensive wraparound support to address barriers that could impact their success, including transportation stipends, case management and housing referrals, workforce preparedness counseling, financial literacy education, digital literacy training, and life and soft skills development.

Rollie was known to be a stickler for sharp knives, and when Lori first learned that graduates were given knife sets, she jumped at the opportunity to provide them through the scholarship fund. “Giving these deserving students the tools of the trade that will help them achieve their goals would mean so much to Rollie,” said Lori.

Lori and Renae presented the knife sets and a certificate to each of the graduating students at a ceremony on June 19. A gourmet dinner prepared by academy students preceded the ceremony. At the event, a few of the students shared their aspirations with Lori and Renae: “To operate a food truck.” “To work in a restaurant kitchen.” “To prepare meals tailored to people with MS.”

The certificate presented to each of the graduates reads, in part:

“The scholarship honors the memory of our former co-chair, Rollie Rahn, who left a legacy of support for those entering the culinary field. Rollie believed that feeding those in need was an act of love and service.

“May you continue his legacy and passion for cooking as you use these knives, whether it be for friends, family, those in need, or in your professional career.”