ENCOURAGING INDIVIDUALS EMBARKING ON A CAREER IN THE FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY IN RHODE ISLAND AND PROMOTING EDUCATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE INDUSTRY TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.HOSPITATLITY CAREER CONFERENCE WITH 125 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ATTENDING FROM ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE. PARTNERHIP WITH FABNEWPORT AND VAN BEUREN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE CAREER- EXPLORATION EXPERIENCES TO MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ALLOWING THEM TO WORK IN KITCHENS ALONGSIDE CHEFS AND INDUSTRY LEADERS TO GET A REAL HANDS-ON EDUCATION. WE AWARDED FOUR LOCAL STUDENTS WITH OUR ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP THIS YEAR. WE HELPED OVER FIFTY INDUSTRY WORKERS THIS YEAR THROUGH OUR EMPLOYEE RELIEF FUND, BRINGING OUR GRANT TOTAL TO 296 SINCE THE PANDEMIC. WE TRAINED 950 EMPLOYEES, A 37% INCREASE IN TRAINING OVER LAST YEAR.