HEB gives $50,000 grant to Plano ISD for CTE culinary kitchen

Plano Independent School District announced on Feb. 18 that HEB has awarded a $50,000 grant to the district's Education Foundation to help equip the culinary kitchen in the district's new career and technical education (CTE) center. Brittany Esery, senior executive director for the Plano ISD Education Foundation, said the grant will go toward commercial-grade kitchen equipment to align students' training with industry standards. "HEB is generously providing the Education Foundation with a $50,000 grant to help stock the new culinary kitchen being built at the CTE center with state-of-the-art commercial kitchen equipment," Esery said.

HEB managing director of public affairs Mabry Jackson told trustees the money comes from the HEB Tournament of Champions, a long-running fundraising golf event. "This money is actually not from the HEB Fund. It's actually the HEB Tournament of Champions," Jackson said, noting the tournament raised more than $16 million this year and that a ceremonial check is en route.

District leaders said the grant strengthens ties between Plano ISD and local industry and will help students gain workforce-ready skills. Superintendent Dr. Teresa Williams and board members attended the recognition and thanked HEB and the Education Foundation for the support. The district said the CTE center and the culinary program will open as scheduled; the foundation will provide additional details on equipment purchases and next steps.

The recognition concluded with a brief photo opportunity and no formal action was required or taken.