Delivering pies to The Salvation Army is a holiday tradition for the Inland Empire Job Corps. Every year before Thanksgiving, they bring enough to feed at least 800 people.

This year, seven students from the Job Corps culinary arts program went a step further. 

After setting 100 pumpkin pies down in The Salvation Army headquarters kitchen, the students noticed Salvation Army volunteers and staff packing cans and other non-perishable food items into boxes in the community room. The Job Corps students rolled up the sleeves of their chef’s robes and went to work helping sort and pack.  

“They took that on themselves,” said chef Michael Geurds, instructor for the culinary arts program. “They saw a need and wanted to help. Our students are always helping others in the community.” 

These boxes of food will create holiday baskets The Salvation Army plans to deliver to about 700 families a few days before Christmas. 

“The Job Corps students are a great group of helpful young people, and we appreciate the effort and energy they put into helping us every year during the holiday season,” said Capt. Nancy Ball, a Salvation Army Corps officer. 

They have been providing community service to the organization for about a decade. 

Last year, three students won a culinary competition and donated the $300 prize to The Salvation Army. The past two years, they donated to the army and other organizations a collection of gingerbread homes they created from scratch as a class project. 

Inland Empire Job Corps service goes beyond donations. They also frequently help with the preparation and serving of up to 200 meals at the headquarters throughout the year, and with the maintenance of the building grounds.