Riverdale High Cafeteria Employee Selected as a Tyson Foods Hunger Hero
Riverdale High Cafeteria Employee Selected as a Tyson Foods Hunger Hero
Posted on 04/27/2023
Jaye Dahlke is a hunger hero. Her inspirational story convinced Tyson Foods to select her as one of five national Hunger Hero’s for 2023. Tyson is providing the School District with a $5,000 grant to honor Jaye, outfitting her fellow cafeteria employees with Hunger Hero’s gear and using her likeness to promote the program.
“I was completely blown away being chosen as a Tyson Foods Hunger Hero!!!,” Jaye Dahlke says. “I am so incredibly excited and grateful to be able to use the grant money for the Riverdale High School Garden. Our students will be able to get fresh ingredients THEY themselves have grown on campus. I'm truly honored to have this opportunity to better serve our Raider Cafe.”
Jaye started working at Riverdale five years ago. She and her children are graduates of the school and wanted to help make a difference in student’s lives. In 2020 she was diagnosed with double breast cancer. After a double mastectomy, she returned to work while undergoing 34 chemotherapy treatments.
“These students PUSHED me every day!!!” Jaye wrote in her application for the award. “They raised thousands of dollars to help me while I was off work, text and called daily, and wrote me notes of encouragement. Sometimes WE need these students as much as they NEED US.”
Tyson Foods Hunger Hero program recognizes individuals working in a school district foodservice program who are raising expectations and improving the cafeteria experience for children in school districts across the country. Winners are selected by the Tyson Foods K-12 team. Tyson awards the winner’s school cafeteria programs with a $5,000 grant.
“We’re excited to shine a spotlight on the everyday heroes in our children’s schools – the foodservice workers that help fuel our future,” said Andrew Williams, Tyson Foods’ director of channel development for K-12 foodservice. “Our Hunger Hero program allows us to celebrate those who are not only serving nutritious and delicious meals but making a difference in students’ lives.”
Jaye’s cancer is currently in remission. She ends every week in the cafeteria with Fun Friday. She has a bag of props for selfies and takes pictures with the students as a way for everyone to just take a break for a minute and have some fun. “Working for the food and nutrition program for Lee County Schools has been the most rewarding career I have had the privilege to work for,” she says.