Boxes recently lined the tables at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Bemus Point as students from the Hewes Educational Center carefully unpacked and sorted food items, preparing them for the next step in a community effort to help students and families in need.
As part of the Career and Technical Explorations Through Career Development & Occupational Studies (CDOS) program, Levi Blakeslee, Farrah Goodlow, Christopher Rosa, Megan Kane, and Hunter McKay spent an hour unboxing supplies for 5&2 Ministry, giving them a hands-on lesson in teamwork, responsibility, and the impact of their work before the items are placed into food bags for local children.
For the students, the experience was both practical and meaningful. “I like opening the boxes and sorting the food for people,” Levi Blakeslee said. “It feels good to help others.”
He added that the most rewarding part of the work is simply seeing the items ready for families who need them. “We help feed people so they don’t go hungry,” he said. “We make sure they have food and drinks so their stomachs are full.”
REAL-WORLD EXPOSURE
The work aligns closely with the goals of the CDOS program, which serves students in grades 9–12 and is available through Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES (E2CCB) at the Hewes, Carrier, and Ormsby Educational Centers. It provides students with real-world exposure to job skills, workplace expectations, and potential career paths, while building habits and confidence for future success.
Alissa Rinaldo, school social worker at Hewes, said one of the program’s greatest strengths is the exposure it gives students to the wide range of Career & Technical Education opportunities available on campus.
During the second year of the program, Rinaldo said CDOS students who remain on track academically and demonstrate responsibility and leadership may select a CTE program of interest and spend time immersed in that setting.
“That experience allows students to engage in hands-on activities, learn foundational skills of the trade, and gain a realistic understanding of workplace expectations,” she said. “Whether they transition into a two-year CTE program or move directly into the workforce, that exposure builds confidence and readiness for life after high school.”
LEARNING NEW SKILLS
At St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Christopher Rosa said teamwork and preparation were key lessons from the experience.
“Helping people and their families by providing food is what stands out most,” he said. “It also introduces you to learning and working with people who need help, and gives you experience with different skills.”
5&2 Ministry is a local nonprofit that aims to combat childhood hunger in Chautauqua County. Founded by Laurie Beckerink and Jen Heiser, it provides bags of food to children and families in need, supplementing weekend meals, and relies on volunteers, donations, and fundraisers to continue its work.
“Through this collaboration, students get hands-on experience. They understand where the food goes, and they take pride in knowing they helped with the process,” said Christie Asel, Career and Technical Explorations instructor at Hewes. “That sense of contribution can spark interest in pursuing similar work in the future.”
The partnership between E2CCB and 5&2 Ministry began last year and has grown into monthly visits, with four to five students from Hewes participating at a time.
“It’s been a great experience for both students and staff, watching them grow and truly buy into it,” Asel said.
STUDENTS HELPING STUDENTS
For 5&2 Ministry, the students’ help is essential. Kathy Carlson, a member of the nonprofit’s board of directors who also handles ordering for the program, said many families don’t have food at home, especially on the weekends.
“These bags provide essential staples to help bridge that gap,” Carlson said. “We couldn’t do this without volunteers and students.”
Each bag typically contains staples such as mac and cheese, cereal, applesauce, juice, crackers, and peanut butter crackers. The program serves multiple districts and BOCES programs across Chautauqua County, and for the 2025–26 school year, it is projected to send home nearly 23,000 bags of food.
Asel emphasized the partnership’s broader goal. “Our aim is to show students why these skills are important and to build strong community connections,” she said. “Being right here in our backyard benefits everyone involved.”
