Student-Led Stewardship Builds Community Connections

The power of giving back to those in need is deeply rooted in the Hamden Hall experience and Middle School students commenced the first installment of their annual community service project, Life is Delicious. The program provides  patrons at the Columbus House Overflow Shelter in New Haven with a hot meal and community connections. This year marks the first year the students hand- served the meal since 2020.

Twenty-five students worked recently in the dining hall to prepare the communal meal that was later delivered and served at the Columbus House. The meal consisted of lasagna, freshly baked focaccia bread, chopped green salad, fruit salad, and chocolate cupcakes for dessert. Students worked under the direction of their Middle School advisors including Middle School Director Brian Christman and faculty members Aidan Clark-Long, Paulomi Aldo, Bud Kohler.

With the assistance of longtime program volunteer and past parent Christine Fontana, freshly gloved students assembled the lasagna trays with pasta sheets, meat, sauce, and ricotta. At another table, a group of students sliced up pineapple, strawberries, cantaloupe, and honey dew melon for the fruit salad. Another crew chopped fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and other fresh vegetables for the green salad. Three students headed to the kitchen to bake and frost chocolate cupcakes.

After the meal prep was completed, five students including seventh-graders Michael Rabel, Braeden Jackson, Lorelai Moylan, Kristina Carlson, and eighth-grader Jack Kang traveled to the shelter along with Mr. Christman to deliver and serve the meal.

The Life is Delicious program has become a staple in the Middle School community. According to Mr. Christman, 3070 meals have been served since the program’s inception during the 2011-2012 academic year. 

The next meeting dates for Life is Delicious will be held on Friday, February 3, Friday, March 3, and Friday, March 31.