Food Bank of Delaware celebrates workforce training graduates

At the Food Bank of Delaware, special ceremonies never become routine. Team members recognize that success means overcoming obstacles, dealing with setbacks, setting goals, facing challenges, recognizing the need for support, and making changes in order to achieve and succeed.

The Dec. 17 graduation ceremony honored students who completed two of its workforce training programs: Culinary and L.O.G.I.C., aka Logistics, Operations, General Warehousing and Inventory Control.

Culinary graduates are Larry Bland, Daniel Halliday, Jeremiah Meatley, MaryAnn Minor, Khaliq Ricketts, Martin Ricks, Lori Silberberg and Biana Smith.

L.O.G.I.C. graduates are Yolanda James Mouzone, Robynn Lammey, Michael Moore, William Newhouse, Jordan Rowell, Martin Smack and Kristen Zarcadoolas.

Keynote speaker Gary Shirey, owner of Bub’s Grubs, relied on his own life experiences to inspire and encourage the graduates, along with their family members, friends and distinguished guests. Shirey’s life has not been an easy one, and the 29-year-old Milford resident – a former heroin addict – shared how he turned his life around after being released from prison in 2018.

“I don’t shy away from my past,” he said, describing his journey that started with juvenile arrests and incarceration at the Stevenson Home in Milford. “I was a strung-out heroin addict, a menace to society. My father’s in jail for murder; he’ll never get out.”

Shirey recognized a mentor who had a powerful effect on his life. He also noted some law enforcement officers – including those who had arrested him – have patronized his food truck and commended him for turning his life around. “God saved me,” he said.

Shirey nurtured the goal of owning a food truck for years. He had no funds for his start-up, but he possessed an entrepreneurial spirit. “I build a food truck off YouTube videos and equipped it from [Facebook] Marketplace,” he said. Now, Bub’s Grubs has developed a reputation that extends beyond the 302 area code.

He encouraged graduates to be confident, to expect challenges, to develop social connections. “The right people will see you at the right time. It’s not easy, but it made me work harder, and that makes me really appreciate it. I got my culinary degree in detention. Life will beat you up. I encourage people to don’t be afraid to fail. It’s OK not to know everything,” he said.

“I’m eight years clean, and I’m here. I’m a trying man, and it’s possible to believe in yourself. In 2018, I came out of jail with nothing. I guarantee you I have the best cheesesteaks in Delaware,” he said.

Food Bank President and CEO Cathy Kanefsky, Chief Impact Officer Anna McDermott and Executive Chef Tim Hunter also congratulated students and Shirey on their successes. Each student had an opportunity to offer remarks, and all thanked their families and the Food Bank.

The next culinary and L.O.G.I.C. classes will start Monday, Jan. 13. To learn more, go to fbd.org/delawarefoodworks.