FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2012
Freestore Foodbank and Talbert House Partner to Train Veterans
The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation Funds Food Service Training Program
Cincinnati –Talbert House and Freestore Foodbank announce a new partnership to train veterans in the Greater Cincinnati area for work with funding from the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation.
The Veterans Training Program will reserve five spots per class of Cincinnati Cooks for veterans who are currently enrolled in or are graduates of Talbert House programs. Veterans will participate in Cincinnati Cooks training, a free 10-week food service training program operated by the Freestore Foodbank. Participants will gain practical experience through on-the-job training at a Talbert House site with a fully functioning kitchen, under the direction of a kitchen manager. Veterans will also have the opportunity to receive their "ServSafe" certification, and those who complete the program will participate in Cincinnati Cooks jobs placement and coaching.
The creation of the Veterans Training Program is made possible through the generous support of The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation. "Funding will provide job readiness and placement for veterans struggling to find meaningful work. This is an important step to helping veterans return to the work force and find stability in their lives," according to Vice President and Human Services Program Manager, Christine Bochenek.
According to Neil Tilow, President and CEO of Talbert House, "The support of The Carol Anne and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation provides our organizations with an opportunity to combine our unique skills and resources to meet the specialized employment needs of veterans".
"We're proud to partner with Talbert House on this important initiative for our community," said Kurt Reiber, President and CEO of the Freestore Foodbank. "Cincinnati Cooks has been an invaluable asset to over 800 graduates of the program, and we're so excited to offer this training and job placement to those who have served for each of us."
About Talbert House
Talbert House is a community-wide nonprofit network of social services with 36 proven programs focusing on prevention, assessment, treatment and reintegration. Each year, Talbert House helps 26,700 men, women and children across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky overcome adversity to become healthy and productive citizens through its programs in community corrections, mental health, substance abuse and welfare-to-work.
About the Freestore Foodbank
The Freestore Foodbank is the largest emergency food and services provider in the Tri-State. The organization is a trusted partner to over 350 nonprofit member agencies spread across 20 counties, through which it will distributes over 18 million pounds of food and other products this year to more than 300,000 individuals. By providing emergency food distribution, the Freestore Foodbank works to determine the root causes of poverty and food insecurity and is able to provide an array of services (emergency clothing, housing services, Food Stamps assistance, Medicaid outreach and others) aimed at creating self-reliance. The Freestore Foodbank is a member of Feeding America.
About The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation
The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation is an independent family foundation dedicated to enhancing the vibrancy and quality of life in our region. The Foundation concentrates its efforts and resources in those areas about which Carol and Ralph were most passionate: community development, arts and culture, education and human services.
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