Cafeteria workers enjoy each other’s company as they pack chips, apple sauce, and plastic silverware at Kenwood High School.

For children, the end of the school year often marks the beginning of lazy late mornings followed by long days at the pool, while enjoying an unlimited supply of watermelon and snowballs. But for some, the end of the school year can mean the end of free and reduced lunches—and a summer of hunger.

Luckily, the employees of the BCPS Office of Food and Nutrition remain hard at work throughout the summer to prevent growling stomachs. “People wonder what we do in the summer – [we do] a lot,” says Karen Levenstein, the office’s director. Instead of serving long lines of children, anxiously waiting for their macaroni and mini milk cartons, some of the same cafeteria workers from the school year pack and deliver cold meals to summer camps and schools.

The cafeteria workers pack the meals (consisting of items such as chips, applesauce, sandwiches, and milk) at a few sites, and then distribute them to summer programs throughout the county.

At Kenwood High, one packing site, summer cafeteria workers labor lightheartedly, sharing stories and jokes as they work. During their lunch break, they eat the same food that they are packing. “Every child is served the same meal,” says Cafeteria Worker Denise Makulka. “We eat it, too.” Her coworker Carol Linda Brown smiles and adds, “It’s good!”

The cafeteria workers love working with each other; Brown enjoys “working with people you don’t normally work with” and building new friendships.

“The workers build great camaraderie,” according to Perry Hall High Cafeteria Manager Carol Grigora. They are “respectful, high quality people.” Not only do the workers build relationships with each other, but also with the students. During the school year, workers get to know students on a first name basis, and greet them personally as they move through the cafeteria line.

Amiable cafeteria workers model school lunch staple items: apples and milk cartons.

Although summer cafeteria workers only work with students directly when they make deliveries, their jobs are still focused on “feeding the children,” as Lisa Roble, a cafeteria worker from Kenwood High, asserts. “Some of them, it’s the only meal they get – so when we extend it through the summer, we make sure they get some food,” she explains. Her coworker Deborah Ernstberger emphasizes “the nutritional part” – making sure that students not only eat, but eat well.

Next school year, more cafeteria workers are needed. According to Grigora, the job provides a “good supplemental income” and is a wonderful way to work part time while still spending time at home. Although the job can be fast-paced, “it’s rewarding.” Grigora pronounces that “just being involved in the school atmosphere is a plus.” Grigora explains that the children and workers are almost always very respectful, but that to be a cafeteria worker, “you have to be a people person.”

“It’s great for a working mom or dad because it models the school year,” Cathy Haymaker, operations supervisor of the Office of Food and Nutrition Services states. The job is “evening free, holiday free, and summer free,” concurs Levenstein; the Office of Food and Nutrition is looking for workers that “enjoy being around children and like the hospitality pace.”

As of July 1, the job pays $7.84 per hour for substitute workers, and $8.99 per hour for regular workers. The job includes sick leave and holiday pay, as well as the opportunity to purchase benefits.

Recruitment meetings, consisting of a presentation and interview, are held throughout the summer. A background investigation, involving a $76.00 fingerprinting fee, is required before employment.

Cafeteria Worker Recruitment Meetings

7/7/05 - Lansdowne Middle- Cafeteria
2400 Lansdowne Road, 21227

7/21/05 - Milford Mill Academy, Auditorium
3800 Washington Avenue, 21244

7/28/05 - Parkville High, Cafeteria
2600 Putty Hill Avenue, 21234

8/4/05 - Woodlawn High, Cafeteria
1801 Woodlawn Drive, 21207

8/11/05 - Perry Hall Middle, Cafeteria
4300 Ebenezer Road, 21236

8/25/05 - Office of Food and Nutrition
1946-R Greenspring Drive, 21093

All meetings begin at 8:30 a.m. For further information call the Office of Food and Nutrition Services at 410-887-7844 ext. 223. Fingerprinting is available on site at Milford Mill Academy on 7/21/05.

Story and photos by Tracy G., Communications Intern and senior at the Carver Center for the Arts and Technology