Cooking food for a lot of kids each day can be a challenge, but it’s one that Lori Bieganski enjoys.
Bieganski is the café supervisor at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County’s Goshen Clubhouse. She started with the organization in May to cover summer meals, but now runs the kitchen every day.
“My goal is to give them something healthy that they’ll eat,” Bieganski said of the menus she prepares. “We have stipulations and regulations on what we can serve.”
Before coming to the Club, she worked nine years at Concord Intermediate School, most recently as the kitchen manager. That helped prepare her for serving up more than 200 meals on a daily basis at Club.
“I try to change things up. We do breakfast for dinner, which they love, to keep things interesting,” she said.
She’s also launched a cooking class to help kids get more comfortable in the kitchen.
“I was nervous at first because I’ve never worked directly with kids at this level, but it’s been great,” Bieganski said. “We have a blast. I keep the recipes simple to keep their attention, but still want them to learn something.”
She teaches the kids basic skills like measuring, but said the goal is to help them become comfortable cooking something to feed themselves.
“I also want them to know that being in the kitchen can be fun,” Bieganski said.
She said the members will ask her a day or two before the class what they’re going to be creating. As she’s getting to know the members, more are asking to volunteer in the café after school.
“They do a good job with a smile on their faces. It allows me to get to get to know them and their interests. I don’t get to work with them every day like the rest of the staff, so this allows me to make a connection with them,” she said.