A Hanover County Public Schools cafeteria manager has been inducted into Virginia’s School Lunch Hall of Fame.
Renee Jewell, the cafeteria manager at Washington-Henry Elementary School, was honored last week by No Kid Hungry Virginia as one of the nonprofit’s newest inductees to the organization’s Hall of Fame. The recognition came on Friday, May 6, which was recognized across the country as National School Lunch Hero Day.
“This is very special to me, and I'm honored to be recognized,” said Jewell, who has worked for Hanover County Public Schools for about 15 years, first as a cafeteria monitor at Cool Spring Elementary School and Chickahominy Middle School before transitioning to the cafeteria manager role at WHES.
Jewell was nominated by a parent who praised her great work in making sure her daughter's school meals and snacks are free from ingredients that trigger her severe food allergies.
“My favorite part of my job is seeing these sweet little faces every day and knowing that I'm making a small difference in their day by providing them with a good meal,” Jewell said.
WHES Principal Shalone Morgan lauded Jewell for her work in supporting students.
“In spite of the challenges presented this year, Mrs. Jewell has consistently made certain that our students and staff are fed nutritious and tasty meals each day,” Morgan said. “She goes above and beyond to let students have choices in their meal selections.”
Said HCPS Food Service Coordinator Robert Lenoard: “Mrs. Jewell is dedicated and committed to her school, staff, and students of Washington-Henry Elementary. She is truly an asset to our department!”
No Kid Hungry Virginia is a part of the national campaign to end childhood hunger through programs that provide kids with the food they need. For more information on this year’s No Kid Hungry Virginia Hall of Fame inductees, please visit
the No Kid Hungry Virginia website.