LRA Education Foundation distributes $50k to Louisiana high schools

The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF) is pleased to announce that it has distributed $50,000 to ProStart^® programs around the state through its ProStart Program Support Fund.

Through annual fundraising efforts of the nine LRA Chapters and support from LRAEF Annual Sponsors, these funds were awarded to eligible ProStart programs in 36 Louisiana high schools. ProStart is a nationwide, two-year program for high school students that develops the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s industry leaders. From culinary techniques to management skills, ProStart’s industry-driven curriculum provides real-world educational opportunities and builds practical skills and a foundation that will last a lifetime.

Bonnabel Magnet Academy ProStart Instructor Emile Meydrich, LRAEF
Executive Director Alice Glenn and ProStart students. 

The first check was presented to ProStart instructor Emile Meydrich and his students at Alfred Bonnabel Magnet Academy in Metairie, January 22, 2015.

“We are very appreciative of the LRAEF for these funds,” said Meydrich. “We could not do much of our kitchen lab work and participate in the upcoming ProStart competition without their generosity. It goes a long way in helping the students.”

To be considered, the schools had to indicate needs, with a specific action plan for how the funds would be spent. Schools received an average of $1,400 to help defray the costs of testing materials, perishables, small wares, capital projects, field trips and the upcoming Louisiana Seafood ProStart Student Invitational at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center, March 3-4.

“The LRAEF is proud to offer this assistance to our ProStart schools for the second consecutive year,” said Executive Director Alice Glenn. “We were shocked to discover just how little financial support many of our high schools have to support vital programs like ProStart. The money simply isn’t there. To assist in ensuring that instructors are able to offer their students the best possible ProStart training, the LRAEF made the ProStart Program Support Fund a high priority.”

The LRAEF, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, exists to enhance the restaurant community through expanded educational and career opportunities, the formation of strategic partnerships and the elevation of professional standards and practices. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Alice Glenn, aglenn@lra.org or (504) 636-6526.

The LRAEF is grateful to the nine LRA Chapters and its sponsors: 5 Diamond—Acme Oyster House, Auto-Chlor Services, Louisiana Hospitality Foundation, Louisiana Restaurant Association, Louisiana Seafood and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation; 4 Diamond—Performance Foodservice-Caro; 3 Diamond—Atmos Energy, Camellia Brand, Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, Louisiana Culinary Institute, New Orleans Wine & Food Experience and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers; 2 Diamond—Louisiana Gas Association, Whole Foods Market and Chef Paul Prudhomme’s “Sea of Hope.”