F1S Shows Appreciation to Culinary Staff with $2,000 Bonuses

“You’re the best!” That was the theme and conclusion of the message Dr. Richard O’Malley and his administrative staff conveyed to Florence 1 Schools culinary staff members at an end-of-year annual appreciation luncheon this week.

At the annual luncheon, members of the Finance Department and Dr. Richard O’Malley traded places with the culinary staff by stepping up to serve the food services employees as they filed through the serving line at the luncheon.

After the employees were served, Laura Showe, Chief Financial Officer for Florence 1 Schools, announced that each culinary staff member in Florence 1 Schools will receive a $2,000 bonus.

At the moment of the $2, 000 bonus announcement, cheers emanated from the room.

“The luncheon was hosted to show appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the food service workers and food service management that takes place daily to ensure our students are fed a healthy breakfast and lunch to adequately prepare them for instruction,” said Showe.

It is a very unexpected, yet a pleasant surprise,” said Kehli Daniels, food service manager at Southside Middle School. “With school being out for summer break, this is a much-needed blessing,” she added.  

“It was a nice surprise and we greatly appreciate the bonus,” agreed Lisa Brown, Food Service Manager of Timrod Elementary.

Honestly, it was indeed a shock, and we were not expecting it, but overjoyed to hear this good news. I am very, thankful and grateful. It is truly a blessing to know that our hard work doesn't go unnoticed,” said Christian Davis of South Florence High.

According to Showe, the bonus is being provided to the food service staff workers based upon their outstanding performance and compliance with all regulatory requirements and are generated by USDA reimbursements to the District.