WellSpan Health, Costa Academy and community leaders gathered in Chambersburg last Friday afternoon to announce a substantial donation of $75,000 from WellSpan to the culinary academy. The donation is part of WellSpan's mission to promote lifelong wellness and healthy communities across Franklin County.

"It's exciting to offer our support to an organization empowering students who develop leadership skills that aid in their growth," said Roxanna Gapstur, Ph.D., R.N., President and CEO, WellSpan Health. "We serve about 2.4 million meals across our health system every year, so we understand the importance of a strong pipeline of food service team members and what that ultimately does to strengthen our communities."

Costa Academy is going on its seventh year operating at the Orchards Restaurant and with this support the academy will be bringing on an additional chef to teach the culinary courses. Gapstur will also serve on the Costa Academy Board of Directors to provide continued support.

"WellSpan is showing our community that they are invested in Chambersburg and the future and health of Franklin County," said Mike Kalathas, head chef and proprietor of The Orchards and Costa Academy. "These very students that we have trained help grow the economy of Franklin County as chefs in restaurants all across the region."

"It's hands-on-learning working in the sauté line and with the prepping," said 12th-grader Audrey, an academy student who is interested in owning her own restaurant in the future. "Bringing food to the table, it brings people together and doing that we can help them be healthier."