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Earlier this year, the Rachael Ray Foundation generously contributed $225,000 in support of ProStart Grow Grants. Schools with existing ProStart programs, or those looking to become part of the ProStart program, were invited to apply, with winning schools demonstrating how the ProStart program is positively impacting their students and the community. Grow Grant funds will allow schools to become part of the ProStart program or strengthen their existing program, enhance their classrooms and support teachers with whatever they need to help their students learn career-building skills in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry.

“ProStart is truly making a difference in the lives of students and nurturing the next generation of talent in our industry,” said Rob Gifford, President of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. “We are grateful for the Rachael Ray Foundation’s long-standing generosity and support for the ProStart program, including its latest infusion of funds to help another 38 high schools upgrade their ProStart programs, or purchase the resources to join the program this year.”

To-date, the Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant Program has provided $590,000 to schools demonstrating a strong need to engage and educate high school students interested in exploring restaurant and foodservice careers.

“ProStart programs, and the educators who support them, provide high school students across the country with skills they need to be successful throughout life,” said Rachael Ray, award-winning television personality and philanthropist. “We [The Rachael Ray Foundation] are proud to support the dreams, passion and hard work that these Grow Grant recipients display in their classrooms and schools as they cultivate the next generation of restaurant and foodservice professionals.”

The following schools will receive $5,000 Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grants:

Asheville High School – Asheville, North Carolina
Brockton High School – Brockton, Massachusetts
Central Nine Career Center – Greenwood, Indiana
Clinton High School – Clinton, Mississippi
Fraser High School – Fraser, Michigan
Gilroy High School – Gilroy, California
Grants High School – Grants, New Mexico
Greenville Technical Center – Greenville, Mississippi
Havre de Grace High School – Havre de Grace, Maryland
Henry P. Becton High School – East Rutherford, New Jersey
Lincoln High School – Lincoln, Rhode Island
Middlesex High School – Middlesex, New Jersey
Mira Mesa High School – San Diego, California
Mobridge Pollock School District – Mobridge, South Dakota
Morris County Vocational School District – Denville, New Jersey
Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School – Wakefield, Massachusetts
Northland Pines Middle and High School – Eagle River, Wisconsin
Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School – Rochester, Massachusetts
Randolph High School – Randolph, New Jersey
Rapid City Central High School – Rapid City, South Dakota
Richmond High School – Richmond, Michigan
Ridgefield Park Jr Sr High School – Ridgefield Park, New Jersey
Sherwood High School – Sandy Spring, Maryland
Silver High School – Silver City, New Mexico
SLW Centennial High School – Port St. Lucie, Florida
Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School – South Easton, Massachusetts
Southwestern Randolph High School – Asheboro, North Carolina
State College Area School District – State College, Pennsylvania
Sun Prairie East High School – Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Umatilla High School – Umatilla, Florida
W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center – Lafayette, Louisiana
Warrensville Heights High School – Warrensville Heights, Ohio
Washington Career and Technical Education Center – Washington, Louisiana
Wayne Valley High School – Wayne, New Jersey
West St. John High School – Edgard, Louisiana
Wichita High School East – Wichita, Kansas
Williams Bay High School – Williams Bay, Wisconsin
Winston-Louisville Career & Technology Center – Louisville, Mississippi

A program of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, ProStart is a two-year technical education program found at more than 1,750 high schools and career and technical educational centers nationwide, teaching culinary techniques and restaurant management skills that build a lifetime foundation and support future careers in the restaurant industry. With 145,000 students enrolled across all states, the District of Columbia and Guam, the program teaches students through a combination of classroom and industry instruction.  Find out more about ProStart at ChooseRestaurants.org/ProStart.