HAWK HAUL &
CHS Care Team
Hawk Haul
The Hawk Haul was founded in 2013 by Chaska High School students Kayla Emerson and Jessica Hardy to provided food, personal hygiene products and school supplies to students in need. The CHS Student Council has carried on the tradition of this food shelf and these students vision and passion for helping others. The Hawk Haul has grown and continues to be a valuable resource here at Chaska High School.
CHS Care Team Story
The Care Team at Chaska High School is a group of students, staff, and community members that provide support to local families in times of need. In the fall of 2015 the Care Team was founded with the common goal of ending student hunger at Chaska High School. It had come to our attention that some of our students were struggling to afford or access food on the weekends and long breaks. Having been through tough times ourselves, we wanted to help. CHS already had the Hawk Haul resource center in the building, which has food, toiletries, and other school supplies, but we found that some students needed more regular access to those resources. Since then, the Care Team has expanded our outreach to also support students, families, and staff facing other crises, such as homelessness, illness, or death of a family member.
Through a partnership with a non-profit called Every Meal (https://www.everymeal.org/) and local food donations to the Hawk Haul, we offer students in need free food every week. We also provide families with food and gift cards over winter and spring breaks when students will not have access to meals at school. In times of crisis, big or small, the Care Team organizes and provides homemade meals, gift cards, toiletries, school supplies, and any other items that a student may need. Students may submit special requests to school counselors at any time, regardless of the type or length of need.
FOOD PROGRAM SIGN-UP
The best way to access resources is to contact your counselor:
Counselor Contact Information:
9th Grade: Ryan Smith- SmithRyan@District112.org
10th Grade: Krista McCoy - McCoyK@District112.org
11th Grade: Jamie Menne- MenneJ@District112.org
12th Grade: Tara Halvorson- HalvorsonT@District112.org
You can also request Care Team resources here:
Food Program Sign-up (students can sign up to receive a weekly bag of food)
Special Request Sign-up (students can request school supplies, toiletries, clothing, etc.)
ITEMS WE NEED
If you would like to donate items to the Hawk Haul, you can drop donations off with the Greeter at Door 1 of CHS (Main Entrance) anytime the school is open. Please be sure to let the Greeter know the items are for the Hawk Haul or Care Team.
The Hawk Haul is in need of donations! Here is the current list of most needed items:
Food needed (not Costco-sized items):
Peanut butter and jelly
Healthy snacks (beef sticks, granola bars, cereal bars, single serving trail mix packets)
Canned chicken
Cans or Cups of Fruit (easy open - pears, peaches, oranges or applesauce packets)
Breakfast items: cereal (small or individual boxes), instant oatmeal packets, breakfast bars, etc.
Microwaveable items (mac and cheese, rice, soups, ramen, oatmeal, mashed potatoes…)
Household items needed:
Dish soap
Laundry detergent
Cleaning supplies/paper towels
Gift Cards needed:
Target
Cub Foods
Gas gift cards (Kwik Trip, Holiday, or Speedway)
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
A. Contribute to the CHS Care Team Fund through the District 112 Foundation. Donations are tax-deductible and the funds help us buy food to add to the bags, grocery store or gas gift cards for families in crisis, communication materials, and other specific student needs.
Donate online at: https://district112foundation.org/blog/donate/
-Be sure to say “CHS Care Team Fund” in the comment box.
Donate by check to: District 112 Foundation, P.O. Box 51, Chaska, MN 55318.
-Be sure to write “CHS Care Team” in the memo line!
B. Donate items to the Hawk Haul. See the "Items Needed" button above.
C. Join the team! The team meets once a month on Tuesdays. If you’re interested in joining us, please contact Jeri Anne Goodall at GoodallJ@District112.org or 952-556-7210.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Two FREE opportunities in our community for you and your family to get additional meals and food.
Free Meal at St. Johns Lutheran Church
Address: 300 E. 4th Street, Chaska, MN 55318
Date: Every Monday Night
Time: 5:15PM-6:15PM
*These meals are pick up only at this time, but each meal is homemade. All are welcome to stop by and pick up meals for their family.
Free Meals for pick up at His House (Located in Moravian Church)
Address: 115 E 4th St, Chaska, MN 55318
Date: Every Thursday
Time: Any time after 1:00PM
* All are welcome to stop by and pick up meals for their family.
CELEBRATION AND THANKS!
Celebration and Thanks
As part of their Kwik Trip Kares/ Neighbors Helping Neighbors campaign, Kwik Trip donated twenty $10 gift cards to the Care Team! Thank you Kwik Trip!
The Chaska Lions Club and CHS Boosters made large donations to the Care Team. These donations make it possible for the team to continue to help with special requests involving food, shelter, and clothing. Thank you Lions and Boosters!
The Chaska community has been incredibly generous in helping the Care Team create Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and Valentine's bags for families. Chaska Santa promoted our efforts and people have donated food, toiletries, games, treats, and more!
Maria Ochoa (CHS staff) donated proceeds from her handmade jewelry fundraiser to the Care Team. She also has delivered food to many families. Thank you Maria for your generous heart!
DECA donated profits from the Turkey Trot to the Care Team. Thank you DECA!
The CHS Dance Team donated dozens of gifts for families in need this holiday season. Thank you girls. Your generosity was amazing.
CHS Key Club ran a hat and mitten drive and donated them to our Care Team families. Thank you Key Club for keeping students warm this winter!
The Care Team has received numerous financial donations from individuals- staff, parents, students, and community members. We are so thankful for these donations. They go directly to families in need, and these families have expressed their gratitude for your generosity. Thank you.
CONNECT WITH US
Care Team Coordinator: Jeri Anne Goodall - goodallj@district112.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CHSCareTeam/
Twitter: @CHSCareTeam