Lightridge High School students in the Family and Consumer Science (FACS) program participated in the Cooking Up Hope initiative this Thanksgiving, preparing full holiday meals for Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) students and families experiencing homelessness. The effort aimed to provide comfort and a sense of tradition to those facing housing instability.
Under the supervision of FACS teachers Maria Gore and Kelsy Zaremski, students cooked traditional Thanksgiving dishes including turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, stuffing, buttered corn, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, and a pumpkin dessert. In total, 72 meals were prepared to serve 18 families. LCPS staff delivered these meals to families currently residing in hotels. Support for the project came from Loudoun Hunger Relief as well as Lightridge families and staff who donated turkeys or funds; additional food costs were covered by contributions from LCPS staff.
“They know this meal is not just food. It is providing warmth, celebration and tradition for families who need it most,” said Gore. She also emphasized that the project fosters compassion and gratitude among students.
The initiative was integrated into classroom activities. Students from Gourmet Foods, Introduction to Culinary, Food Science, and Project Management classes practiced by making Thanksgiving side dishes during Friendsgiving celebrations held earlier. Advanced students learned how to scale recipes for large groups while applying food science principles. “By personally being involved in this endeavor, we believe the students gained a deeper appreciation for their own resources,” Gore added. The project also highlighted teamwork, problem-solving skills, and kitchen management.
Principal Dr. Ryan Hitchman commented on the significance of the activity: “When we opened Lightridge in fall 2020, we wanted our school to be a community center. Sometimes that means inviting people into our building, while at other times it involves our students and staff providing to our community. We are excited to be a part of Cooking Up Hope, and I would like to thank our students and staff for thinking of others and how they can help them during the holiday season. We are proud to be a part of this activity.”
The recipients of these meals are supported by the LCPS McKinney-Vento program—a federally mandated service ensuring educational rights for children experiencing homelessness within LCPS schools. Currently, there are 1,048 LCPS students receiving support through McKinney-Vento services due in part to high housing costs or events such as job loss or house fires.
“We believe this meal represents a reminder to our McKinney-Vento families that they are seen, supported and cared for. It offers a sense of hope during a challenging time and reinforces that their school community is standing beside them. It shows that people genuinely want to help,” said Holly Angle, an LCPS McKinney-Vento specialist.
Families seeking assistance can learn more about available services through the LCPS McKinney-Vento webpage.
