Come Thursday to clean and paint the Orcas school cafeteria

The Farm-to-Cafeteria people, under the leadership of Madie Murray and Bruce Orchid, Farm-to-Cafeteria program coordinator, are planning a work party for Thursday, Aug. 20, perhaps extending to Friday, Aug. 21.

The object of their affection is the Orcas School cafeteria, with the purpose of making it more appealing. In addition to bringing in local food, “We want the cafeteria to be a positive place, and boost the energy,” said Orchid.

Plans to power-wash the furniture, scrub the walls, and paint were put on hold when requested funds from the school budget were not made available.

“We didn’t want to wait for it to get torn down,” said Orchid, anticipating a new building if the proposed school bond goes through next year.

He notes that Ace Hardware’s owner Scott Lancaster has donated dropcloths and is providing the campaign with supplies, such as TSP cleaning agent, at cost.

The group plans to “power wash furniture and splash some fresh paint on the walls” August 20 and 21,” said Murray. “There will be supplies on hand, but we can always use more. If you can, bring a brush, roller, rags or any other gear you might have and join in.  Any amount of time you can help would be much appreciated!”

Donations of paint and supplies will be very welcome, Orchid adds.

The school’s Environmental Club, led by Orcas Junior Iris Parker-Pavitt, will be installing a mural, and a sign proclaiming, “We Love Our Local Farms” will be hung.

“It’s a good way for people to invest in the school without spending any money and help the school preserve its troubled budget,” said Orchid. “A way to supplement the school budget without giving funds.”

Donors and volunteers can call Murray at 376-3371 or PTSA President Barb Skotte at 376-3930.

Another Farm-to-Cafeteria project will be undertaken this Monday, Aug. 17, as over a dozen FEAST students come to the cafeteria for “Fifth Season,” to spend the day preparing local fruits, vegetables and herbs for future use in the school cafeteria menus. The produce will be chopped and otherwise processed and stored in bags for freezing, in a freezer donated by Cathy Ferran and Jim Cardinell.

With the two events this week,  Farm-to-Cafeteria will have fulfilled two of its goals this year, said Orchid — to preserve local produce with the FEAST kids, and to “change the look” in the cafeteria for the better.

“Whatever we can do, we’ll do,” said Murray.