by Chris Piatek, Food Ministry Team
Roland (Rollie) Rahn, a cherished UUCWC member for many years, was devoted to the Food Ministry and to serving the church in countless ways. Rollie had a passion for cooking and made meals for others whenever he could. When Rollie passed away in 2015, his wife Lori and daughters Renae and Natalie established a scholarship fund to support young adults seeking to pursue education in the culinary arts. The Food Ministry administers the scholarship fund.
This year, the Rahn family and the Food Ministry awarded $700 to purchase sets of chef knives for eight graduating students of the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen’s Culinary Academy. Emilio’s Culinary Academy, its formal name, provides access to education and teaches skills to members of the community who would otherwise have difficulty entering the workforce. Founded in 2020, the academy offers culinary training and assistance with other soft skills, including résumé writing and job preparation.
Renae Rahn and Bernie Ruekgauer presented the knife sets and a certificate to each of the graduating students at a ceremony at TASK on June 20th. A gourmet dinner prepared by academy students followed the ceremony. 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.”