HUNTINGTOWN, Md. — A local culinary training program that has provided job skills and industry certifications to individuals with disabilities for more than a decade is at risk of shutting down by the end of the year due to funding challenges.
Community Harvest Network (CHN), formerly known as End Hunger Calvert County, announced that its long-running Culinary Program may not be able to continue offering classes after September 2025, when federal grant support is expected to run out.
The announcement comes as the program prepares to celebrate the graduation of its 15th cohort on April 4 at Chesapeake Church in Huntingtown. The event, which begins at noon, will highlight the achievements of the latest group of aspiring chefs.
For years, the Culinary Program has provided life-changing opportunities for individuals with disabilities, empowering them through workforce development and job placement. The program furthers CHN’s mission of fostering economic independence and food security for vulnerable populations in Calvert and surrounding counties. Graduates of the program have gone on to secure employment in restaurants, catering businesses, and institutional food service operations, contributing to the local economy and improving their quality of life.
“As we prepare to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates, we cannot ignore the
urgent need for financial support to keep this program alive,” said Lynette Entzian, Chief
Operating Officer, of Community Harvest Network. “The impact of this program extends far
beyond the kitchen. It changes lives, strengthens families, and supports the local economy. We are calling on the community to help us secure the funding necessary to continue this work.”
The upcoming graduation ceremony will not only highlight the resilience and achievements of the students but also serve as a rallying point for community members, businesses, and stakeholders to step forward and invest in the program’s sustainability. Donations, sponsorships, and grant opportunities are being actively sought to ensure that the next generation of culinary students has access to the same opportunities that have benefited so many before them.
“We graciously ask that the community join us as we celebrate our Spring 2025 Culinary
Program Graduation,” Entzian continues, “The love and support of our extraordinary students means more than you know.”
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