Sierra House Elementary raising funds for Charlie Cart Project

From the day they set foot in the kindergarten classroom, students at Sierra House Elementary school learn about soil, seeds, planting and growing food, and now parents at the school are raising money to take lessons for all K-5 students to the next level.

The Charlie Cart Project is a hands-on nutrition program that engages kids through food and cooking, all while the learn Common Core standards of math, English, language arts, science and social studies. The designer of the cart, Brian Dougherty, is the Principal Creative Director at Celery Design Collaborative, the author of Green Graphic Design and a frequent lecturer on sustainable design.

"The teachers are excited," said parent leader Julie Lowe. "They want the hands-on approach as the students learn the science of food."

Charlie Cart is a mobile cooking station that can be moved from classroom to classroom and outdoors, and will allow teachers to show their students not only the science of cooking and nutrition, but cooking skills as well.

Their goal is $10,000 which covers the cost and delivery of the elaborate cart and 54 weeks of lesson plans. Just a few years ago, parents at the school were able to raise $120,000 for their innovative Grow Domes through fundraisers and an online website, and they're trying the same approach this time.

On Sunday there will be Mother's Day Bazaar at The Landing in South Lake Tahoe. Local artisans and makers will have booths to display and sell their work, just in time for gifts for moms.

Karly Matzen, founder of The Tides Project, has joined forces with Lowe and other parents at Sierra House to organize the bazaar. All proceeds from the May 7 event will go to the Charlie Cart Project. Matzen, who is the masseuse at The Landing, raised money through her project last year for art supplies for the kids at Lake Tahoe Boys & Girls Club. She has brought together over 10 vendors who will share their wares in the resort's ballroom from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All booth fees will go to Charlie Cart.

Lowe's goal is to raise all $10,000 needed for the cart by June 30 so it can be in place for the beginning of school in the fall. Visit their fundraising page here: www.classy.org/campaign/lets-get-cooking-with-the-sierra-house-charlie-cart/c129073

Not only can the Charlie Cart be used for classrooms, but also by UC Davis Nutrition staff who visit the school, at school events, and by high school and college students and staff who help out at the school.

The cart is 60" in length, 25" wide, 35" high and comes equipped with a convection oven, cooktop, electric griddle, Vitamix blender, cookware, built in circuit breaker, maple drawers and other heavy duty features.