Participants in the Chester County Food Bank’s FRESHstart Kitchen program are also participating in financial literacy workshops, courtesy of Benchmark Federal Credit Union.

FRESHstart Kitchen is a culinary arts workforce development training program providing a pathway out of poverty.

“The ‘fresh’ in FRESHstart stands for Focusing Resources on Employment, Self-Sufficiency, and Health, and we truly appreciate the volunteer work of Benchmark Federal Credit Union to support and assist our students as they continue on this promising path to success,” said Andrea Youndt, CEO of Chester County Food Bank.

Benchmark FCU financial workshops cover topics such as budget management and credit report review. The workshops aim to support FRESHstart trainees who are experiencing barriers to gain confidence and skills as they begin careers in the restaurant industry.

“This is our third year as a community partner with Chester County Food Bank, supporting programming all year long, including the FRESHstart Kitchen program,” said Daniel Machon Jr., President and CEO of Benchmark Federal Credit Union. “We’re always open to educating our community on financial literacy, especially in this volatile interest rate environment when so many are struggling to support themselves and their families.”

Learn more about the Chester County Food Bank.