Annual EATS event raises an estimated $10,000 for activities that enhance ISD 166 curriculum
Mar 10, 2025 10:14AM ● By Content Editor
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - March 10, 2025
Last week, over 130 community members gathered to connect, eat food from local businesses, and raise money for the Cook County School District 166 Education Foundation at the annual Enriching Academics Through Sustenance, or EATS, event. The Education Foundation offers grants for experiences, activities, and projects for students that enhance the curriculum, which cannot be funded by ISDS 166 or other sources. Some past things the Education Foundation has funded include a trip to the Minnesota State Capital and Guthrie Theater in the Twin Cities, a driving simulator for the Community ED Driver's Education Program, ACT testing fees, art programming with Grand Marais Art Colony and North House Folk School, and more.
Here is a list of food and beverage businesses that participated:
- Angry Trout
- Bluefin Bay Grille
- Blue Water Cafe
- Cook County Co-op
- Crosby Bakery
- ISD 166 Culinary Arts
- Fika Coffee
- Goldy's
- Grand Portage Casino
- Gunflint Lodge
- Hungry Hippie Tacos
- Java Moose
- Lady Superior Non-Alcoholic Bottle Shop
- Lofty Gondola
- Mogul's Grille
- Poplar Haus
- TABLA Bake Lab & Crybaby Pies
- Voyageur Brewery
Attendees also enjoyed live music during the event, from the ISD 166 student choir and band to pieces played on the piano by community member Doug Sanders. If that's not enough, a robust silent auction with over 130 items brought out some enthusiastic bidders for the chance to take home gift certificates to local businesses, hand-crafted items, and other donated goods. While Education Fund board members are still tallying up all the final donations, an estimated $10,000 was raised.
Since the formation of the Education Foundation, over $200,000 has been granted directly to ISD 166 teachers and students for programming. Education Foundation board members and event organizers shared that no specific requests are currently waiting to be fulfilled, but ISD 166 teachers are able to submit requests at any time. "Our board meets monthly to review requests and allocate the money," they said.
To learn more about the Education Foundation, visit: cookcountyschools.org/page/education-foundation
Over 130 items were donated by local businesses, artists, and makers to raise money for the Education Foundation.
Over $200,000 has been distributed to ISD 166 teachers and students for experiences, projects, and activities that cannot be funded by other sources. One way the organization raises money is through the silent auction at EATS.
Community members sample food from Mogul's Grille and Bluefin Bay Grille.
Watermelon caprese from Bluefin Bay Grille
Cook County High School culinary arts students made three different dishes, including these cream puffs.
Crosby Bakery served its well-loved carrot cake and this tiramisu cake.
TABLA Bake Lab and Crybaby Pies teamed up to offer a variety of pastries, including the unique curry cream buns, which consisted of curry, mango chutney, and mascarpone cream filling.
Lady Superior NA Bottle Shop served a variety of non-alcoholic options, including a rose wine, golden beer, and a mocktail.
Bluefin Bay Grilled served kimchee chicken potstickers with a sweet dipping sauce.
Java Moose provided attendees with a liquid boost, caffeinated or not.
The Thai noodle bowl from Lofty Gondola provided a fresh burst of flavor on a wintery evening.
Over 130 community members gathered on Thursday evening to enjoy fellowship and food and to raise money for the ISD 166 Education Foundation.
