With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

 

Proposals

Over the next week and a half, as part of my new role as head of the fund-raising committee, I have to submit a list of ideas to Chef Ayden that will help us raise the eight thousand dollars needed for our trip. I talk it over with Angelica, and her creative mind spins with big galas and silent auctions of her artwork. She even suggests reaching out to local rappers and asking them to give proceeds of their record sales for the trip. When I ask Malachi for his thoughts, he goes in a different direction than Angelica; like the doctor he’s told me he wants to be, he talks about the optimal results and makes a bullet-point list of how to make the most money in the quickest fashion. ’Buela taps on her chin when I ask her and thinks of a bingo game at the rec center with all proceeds going to the trip. I’ve been calling Julio more often since the storm, and he’s quick to offer his thoughts on organizing a fund-raiser. He gives me a letter template to petition our district council member and has a whole game plan outlined for me to knock on doors in the neighborhood with food samples so people will donate directly. He says the best way to move forward is to keep it grassroots; when you support the community, the community will support you.

I make detailed notes of everyone’s suggestions and on my own I spend time in the computer lab after school looking up different ways to raise money. I feel a thrill in my body; I’m excited to put my proposal in motion. I know we can make this work. But first I’ll have to convince Chef Ayden.

Angelica helps me write up my presentation with graphics and pie charts, and Malachi checks my numbers to make sure all the math is correct. ’Buela and Babygirl listen as I practice presenting my proposal. Although I’m the chairperson, this is my unofficial committee, and like Chef Ayden always says, sometimes you need a team to help you.

I’m standing in front of Chef Ayden. I’ve printed out neat copies of my ideas, the timeline, and the projected amount we’ll raise.

“As you see from my list, there are a couple of options. I know the class has thought of a bake sale and I think we should do that to raise money, but not for the class trip. I think we should use it to raise money to buy larger quantities of food to cook in class for us to sell. This very kitchen has the small café next door. Instead of using it for restaurant practice, I think we should open it up and serve lunch. We have all this food that we make but that goes to waste. Why not make larger portions and sell them for more money than we spent on the food? It would only require buying larger amounts, storing the food appropriately throughout the week, and making sure the recipes are ones we can sell. I’m sure the staff would like to have options for something other than the cafeteria food.”

Chef raises an eyebrow. What I’m asking will mean more work for him, mainly picking up and storing bigger quantities of food weekly. “I also think we should submit a proposal to the school to have us cater the Winter Dinner.”

I stop speaking and look down at my notes. Chef Ayden pauses before asking me, “The cafeteria staff usually does the Winter Dinner, don’t they?”

“We all need to learn how to serve, and that would be a great opportunity. We can propose it as one of the objectives: on-the-job experience.”

Chef cocks his head. “You’ve thought about this a lot, Emoni. I’m impressed. Except, the only class advanced enough to make acceptable food to feed to staff would be yours, and you all meet in the afternoon. If we want the lunch idea to work, people will have to come in early to cook. Do you think you can lead that?”

I hadn’t counted on more work. But I puff up my chest. I got this.