Eye on ECCS: Monday Market

 

NOTE: Occasionally throughout the school year, we will visit a school across Eastern Carver County Schools. Some weeks the plan may be to stop in multiple classrooms by grade, or by subject. Other weeks it may highlight a certain specialist group. The purpose is to give families and our community a glimpse into the every-day learning environment happening in our buildings. A chance to spotlight the incredible work our teachers and staff do on a daily basis for our students, and to showcase the incredible work our students produce as well. So, keep your Eye on ECCS!

“When I see the kids, the families, go through the line, it’s a bucket filler.”

That’s the feeling Josie Hoffman experiences each Monday afternoon as students and families from the community enter the east doors at Chaska High School to find tables and carts full of rescued food. The Monday Market is an opportunity for fresh, free food for all families.

The Monday Market was the recent recipient of the Chaska Human Rights Award.

"The Monday Market is a powerful example of school and community partnerships done right. This partnership ​allows us to meet students and families in a heightened moment of need with dignity and care, and support,” said Assistant Superintendent Nate Manaen.

Tara Halvorson, school counselor at Chaska High School and a Monday Market organizer, said between 35 to 45 families on average shop at the food market each week. Students are invited to shop at the end of the school day as well. Some grab an apple or other fruit for a snack, others bring a bag to bring home to their families.

The market runs from 2:35 to 3:30 p.m. each Monday during the school year.

For Hoffman, a county-based social worker at Chaska High School, helping her community is just who she is. Previously, Hoffman said she had made personal deliveries to families that she knew needed the support. Knowing the food insecurities that many individuals and families face, Hoffman and the Chaska High School Care Team went to work.

Branching off from the Free Produce Market that Eastern Carver County Schools has partnered with Carver County Health and Human Services with for a number of years, the Monday Market was born last school year. 

Volunteers, including Hoffman, her mom Vicki, Halvorson, Martha Brannon of His House, and Greg Pavette from Humanity Alliance, rescue fresh food from local stores Kowalski’s and Lakewinds Co-Op each weekend. Salads, fruits and vegetables, meat, eggs, prepared meals, and bakery items are just some of what is available.

Halvorson said it takes a team of volunteers and supporters to make it all happen. From the Chaska Hawks Boosters supplying refrigeration to custodial staff setting up tables to Chaska High School office staff Lisa Papp, Cindy Brazil, Cynthia Roper, and Maria Wolf, who are there to lend a hand wherever needed.

“Lisa and Tara are my ‘yes’ people. Lisa is always offering to help. She’s amazing,” Hoffman said.

“We’ve built these relationships with each other. Our families have joined us many times. My husband, my daughters. Josie’s mom. I just think it’s my way of showing love to our neighbor. Love in action,” Halvorson said.

Students have also gotten involved. Key Club, a student-led service-based organization, regularly has volunteers at the market. Chaska senior Bennett McGlothlin meets the food rescuers every Saturday and Sunday to unload the food onto carts, weigh it, and help move the food into the high school.

To date, more than 14,000 pounds of food has been rescued and distributed to students and families.

“Part of what drives me to show up each week is that I get to serve with amazing people. They are a continual reminder that there is good within our community and the world,” McGlothlin said. “Honestly, it’s just all about the relationships that you are blessed to share with not only those serving with you but also those you are serving. Showing up just once or twice would have never amounted to the connection I have with our community. It’s much more than just volunteering. It’s a choice to love others as you dare to love oneself.” 

McGlothlin also volunteers during the weekly Community Meal on Mondays at St. John’s Lutheran in Chaska. Remaining food not distributed at the Monday Market is packed up and delivered to St. John’s or His House.

“Seeing all these people from different places, backgrounds, and views coming together brings me hope that a little piece of the world just got put back together,” McGlothlin said.

HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD
Hoffman, Halvorson, Papp, and the Monday Market were recognized last month at the City of Chaska’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Human Rights Celebration. They received the Chaska Human Rights Award, which is given annually to a person or organization who has made a positive impact on the Chaska community.

“Food insecurity is a reality in our schools, in our neighborhoods, and in our communities. … We work together to set up the Monday Market. All of the rescued food is organized and put out on tables. When the bell rings at the end of the school day, it is beautiful chaos. Students come out of class and pack boxes of food to take home on the bus with them. Other students grab a snack on the way home or to afterschool activities. Families show up to take what they need; some pack an extra box for their neighbor,” Halvorson told the audience at the Chaska Event Center.

At a time when access to food, a fundamental human right, is increasingly uncertain for many families, and those needs feel more urgent than ever, the Monday Market reminds us how powerful compassion and connection can be,” she added.

You can watch the event on the Chaska Community Television YouTube Channel.

“We were grateful to be part of a meaningful gathering that recognized the Monday Market in Chaska for its consistent dedication to supporting students and staff experiencing food insecurity. Acts of care like these reflect the values Dr. King lived and led with,” the City of Chaska said