Special Kneads Eats & Treats Satisfies Workers' Dreams, Patrons' Bellies
by David Dinsmore
South Central Industries established Special Kneads Eats & Treats in April in partnership with The Lunch Box to help give its special needs clients training and experience in food service while serving “good food for good” at local businesses, meetings and special events.
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ike many of South Central’s initiatives, the idea for Special Kneads Eats & Treats came from the clients. In its mission to provide vocational training and employment opportunities to individuals with special needs, South Central’s job coaches work with the clients to determine what their passions are and try to find chances to follow them, said Tina Hanna, executive director of South Central Industries Inc. Many clients wanted to work in food service, but there were not always opportunities widely available locally for them. “We wanted to give them a way to get experience and training and do something that would integrate them into the community a little bit better,” Hanna said. “That's why we decided to do a food truck.” South Central initially purchased a snow cone stand with the plan of continuing its service, but an existing partnership with The Lunch Box changed the direction of the organization’s new venture. Lee Rutherford – owner of The Lunch Box at 217 E. Main St. – had been working with South Central to provide working opportunities for some of its clients. She hired them to join her team to help take orders, deliver food to dine-in customers and clear tables. “We love what South Central is about,” Rutherford said. “We love the clients. They’re a part of us (at The Lunch Box). 18
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