MENLO SCHOOL • SINCE 1915

Community Cooks

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Menlo’s Community Cooks Program is a long-standing tradition where students come together as a grade to prepare a home-cooked meal for area LifeMoves shelters.

Community Cooks provides one way that students can complete their Community Engagement credits for the Upper School. They can earn three (3) Community Engagement Credits by participating upon approval of a Community Engagement reflection they write on Fortress following their participation.

The shelters that Menlo serves include two shelters in the LifeMoves program: First Step for Families (a family shelter) in San Mateo and the new San Mateo County Navigation Center (an adult shelter) in Redwood City.

Menlo parents coordinate the meal, plan the menu, and shop for groceries. The host parents coordinate and oversee the students while they prepare, cook, and serve the meal at the shelter. The MSPA has a budget set aside for the purchase of groceries up to $350 total per meal. Student Life communicates the dates to students and they can sign up a few weeks prior to each event. 

Each Community Cooks event lasts about 3 hours. 

If you have questions or are interested in organizing and signing up to host a meal, please contact Rupa Vazirani.

Fall 2023 Dates: 

(sign-up info sent out via email to students)

  • October 1, 2023 - 11:30 am to 2:00 pm
  • October 29, 2023 - 11:30 am to 2:00 pm
  • December 3, 2023 - 11:30 am to 2:00 pm

Spring 2024 dates will be confirmed later this fall. 

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Menlo’s Community Cooks Program is a long-standing tradition where students come together as a grade to prepare a home-cooked meal for area LifeMoves shelters.

Community Cooks provides one way that students can complete their Community Engagement credits for the Upper School. They can earn three (3) Community Engagement Credits by participating upon approval of a Community Engagement reflection they write on Fortress following their participation.

The shelters that Menlo serves include two shelters in the LifeMoves program (formerly known as InnVision Shelter Network): First Step for Families (a family shelter) in San Mateo and Maple Street Shelter (an adult shelter) in Redwood City.

Menlo families volunteer the use of their home kitchens as well as shop for groceries and plan the menu for the meal.  The host parents coordinate and oversee the students while they prepare, cook, and transport* the meal at the shelter.  The MSPA has a budget set aside for the purchase of groceries up to $350 total per meal.  Student Life communicates the dates to students and they can sign up a few weeks prior to each event. 

Each Community Cooks event lasts about 3 hours. 

If you have questions or are interested in organizing and signing up to host a meal at your home kitchen, please contact Rupa Vazirani.

2022-2023 Dates: (sign-up info sent out via email to students)
Sunday, Sept. 25, 10:00am-1:00pm - Maple Street (Redwood City)
Sunday, Oct. 2, 3:00-6:00pm - Dinner Maple Street (Redwood City)
Sunday, Oct. 23, 4:00pm-7:00pm - Dinner First Steps (San Mateo)                                                                                                                        Sunday, Nov. 6, 3:00-6:00pm - Dinner Maple Street (Redwood City)
Sunday, Dec. 4, 4:00pm-7:00pm - Dinner First Steps (San Mateo)  

2023 Dates - to be confirmed at a later date