Opportunity
Problem
Society is short of resources for homeless or less-privileged youth. Eugene is no different than other cities in that there is a large number of homeless teens who have fled their homes. They come here for a short time, then they travel to California during winter to seek warmer temperatures. These are young adults that don’t understand how to become part of society. They don’t have the financial resources to support their family, so they end up having children.
Solution
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We offer assistance with career planning and education for at-risk young people in Lane County. We want to make this experience valuable for our clients. We do this by offering a range of curricula, which have been funded by Oregon Youth Conservation Corps, Oregon Department of Human Resources, Lane Workforce Partnership, and local school districts.
Our most recent program is a culinary arts program in which students learn about food preparation and safe handling and then put this knowledge to use by preparing lunches for their peers at the Chambers School. Students are then placed in a local food service company for a 60-hour training program. The current availability of the culinary arts program for students is five per 9-week school terms, or approximately 25 students per calendar year. The program is based on students’ genuine interest in the culinary arts and excellent attendance.
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Market
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Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce states that “[a]t heart of Eugene economy is the homegrown small- and medium-sized businesses. Eugene’s businesses employ fewer then 20 workers. From specialty retail shops to financial service firms, from management consultancies to ethnic groceries, Eugene’s small business community is diverse, active, thriving and well-supported. Eugene has over 10,000 businesses. These include sole proprietorships, limited partnerships, and financial service firms. Eugene/Springfield have experienced a 3.9% increase in population since 1998. This has led to new businesses and increased opportunities for catering businesses that can fulfill these businesses’ needs.
Catering For Kids expects that Eugene/Springfield businesses still have a need for catering at lunch meetings or other events. Business to business catering is not the same as that of other restaurants and food-related businesses. Companies continue to hold lunch meetings, and employees still want to purchase lunches throughout the year. We conducted some market research in order to gain an understanding of the market size. A survey was sent out to 144 Lane County non-profit organizations. It asked for their current and future needs in catering services as well as their interest in supporting a nonprofit catering company. Many of these responses were received.
“I believe this is a wonderful idea that could be a valuable resource for the community. Springfield/Eugene Habitat for Humanity do not hold many lunchtime meetings. However about 13 to 14 Executive Director of Habitat affiliates meet here every three months. Susan Brown Volunteer Coordinator, Eugene/Springfield Habitat for Humanity
If we have an event that needs catering, we’ll call your program first. We follow a policy of first using nonprofit organizations for our services.
“Our needs for catering are not very large, maybe a few times a year. You can contact me to discuss the program. I am interested in hearing from you about the program.
We are looking for a space that can hold 50 to 100 people at our General Membership Meetings. While I’m not responsible for arranging these meetings, it is clear that my organization needs a place for members to gather where they can enjoy beer and food. Dave might be able to answer your questions. The first meeting usually takes place in October.
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Competiton
A number of other caterers offer boxed lunches for business clients. However, none of these businesses specialize in serving the nonprofit sector, nor are they themselves a nonprofit that benefits the local community. Catering For Kids will work hard to establish strong relationships with all its nonprofit clients.
Catering For Kids, we believe, will be the most prominent caterer in Lane County.
Why Us
Catering For Kids is dedicated to providing at-risk youth with an opportunity to gain work experience and transferable skills by providing our customers with healthy, homemade foods and excellent service at reasonable prices. Employees of Catering For Kids will be students who are enrolled in the culinary arts program at the Chambers School and Career Center and are interested in gaining work experience in the restaurant and food services industry. Participation in this program will enable students to make the transition from school and work, as well as help them develop entrepreneurial skills that can be applied to any future job.
Expectations
Forecast
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Below is a benchmark chart that shows our key financial indicators over the past three years. We foresee slow but steady growth in demand for our services and consequent increase in operating expenses. Catering For Kids in the first year will focus on catering for its internal market. As year two approaches, Catering For Kids will start to serve the external market.
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Financial Highlights per Year
Financing is Required
Grant funding, which is $15,000 annually, is one of our revenue lines. We anticipate that we will need donations of $2,000 per monthly, along with revenue from fees for lunches or event catering.