Food trucks visit BVA to help staff ‘refuel’

By Christine Haines
chaines@yourmvi.com

When you are thanking someone for going above and beyond the call of duty, the thank-you gift needs to be extraordinary; at least that was the thinking of Belle Vernon School Board president and BVA Charitable Fund member Joe Grata.
Grata was approached by Superintendent Dr. Michele Dowell about doing something for the 320-member staff in the district for all they have done to address the COVID-19 challenges in the district.
They turned to the nonprofit BVA Charitable Fund, whose nine-member board of directors endorsed the idea of food trucks and will foot the bill.
“She thought it would be a way to recognize their efforts and boost their morale during the holiday,” Grata said. “There were thoughts of more traditional things like pizza or coffee and donuts. I said be more creative.”
Thinking outside the pizza and donut boxes, the idea of bringing in gourmet food trucks was brought up and was an immediate hit. The theme for the event is “Keep on Truckin’ BVA: We hope this helps you refuel and thanks for carrying the load.” Gourmet meatballs, fancy crepes and “street tacos” were on Wednesday’s lunch menu for teachers, secretaries, administrators, cafeteria personnel, custodians and maintenance workers. Because it was a virtual instruction day with students at home, Charleroi-based Perked Up Café did lunch for bus and van drivers on Tuesday.
“It’s a way of thanking everyone for the hard work they’ve been doing to keep our schools functioning during these unfortunate, extraordinary times,” Dowell said. “Our employees have risen to the challenge to make sure our schools are safe and our young people are being educated.”

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