Imagine an opportunity to try food from 15 local Cook County restaurants all in one place. A mix of food and beverage vendors lines the hallways of the Cook County ISD 166 school, with silent auction items donated by local businesses and individuals available for bidding (including a little bit of healthy and fun rivalry). Friends and neighbors are around every corner; the sound of laughter, chatting, and live music fills the air. 

The Cook County ISD166 Education Foundation held its annual Enriching Academics Through Sustenance (E.A.T.S.) event on Thursday, March 5, 2026. The event brought together over 135 community members, business owners, and students (some of whom were volunteering) to raise funds for educational grants that support curriculum-enhancing activities within the school district. These funds are put towards projects that fall outside the scope of traditional funding. 

While the final financial total is still being calculated, organizers report that the event is estimated to have raised over $9,000 in ticket sales and a silent auction. This year’s auction included over 130 items and gift cards donated by community members and local businesses.

 Over 130 gift certificates and items were donated by local businesses and organizations for the silent auction. 

The food participants included a mix of long-standing local establishments and new additions, such as Big Back Eats*, Superior Creamery, and more. 

A variety of food, dessert, and beverage options were available, including, but certainly not limited to, several soup options; carrot cake (Crosby Bakery); coffee and sparklers (Java Moose), homemade vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup (Superior Creamery); bacon and salads (Cook County Co-op), at least two different types of chicken wings, pork tacos (Angry Trout); smoked fish (Fisherman's Daughter); samples of non-alcholic wine and refreshing flavored water (Lady Superior NA Bottle Shop); slice beef crostini (Cascade Restaurant); creme brulee, blueberry muffins, and a "reconstructed" banana muffin (Cook County High School Culinary Arts); Mexican pinwheels and Lakota Wojapi fry bread (Big Back Eats); flatbreads and Swedish meatballs (Coho Cafe); and more! 

 The Cook County High School Culinary Arts class served homemade creme brules, along with a "reconstructed" banana muffin and a blueberry muffin. 

 Attendees had the opportunity to sample NA wine and various flavored waters from Lady Superior NA Bottle Shop. 

 Fisherman's Daughter brought three different types of smoked fish, along with chowder, for attendees of E.A.T.S. 

Here is a full list of businesses and organizations that provided food and beverage offerings: 

• Angry Trout Cafe
• Big Back Eats
• Coho Cafe
• Bluefin Bay Grille
• Cascade Lodge
• Cook County Co-Op
• Crosby Bakery
• Fisherman's Daughter
• Hungry Hippie Tacos
• Java Moose
• Lady Superior Bottle Shop
• Moguls Grille
• Poplar Haus
• Superior Creamery
• Voyageur Brewing

Additionally, the event included a past foundation-funded project, the driving simulator utilized by the Community Ed Driver’s Education Program. Community members were able to test out the simulator during the event. 

A previously Education Foundation-funded project, the driving simulator, was on display for community members to try out.  

Past and current projects include funding for the high school trip to Spain, elementary school participation in the LOON Opera, and the 6th-grade class trip to the State Capitol and Guthrie Theater.

Since its inception, the foundation has granted over $200,000 directly to programming for local teachers and students.

To learn more about the Education Foundation, visit: cceducationfoundation.org

*Big Back Eats is a food stand on the Gunflint Trail, operated through the One Spirit Employment Program to provide Lakota youth (18-25) from the Pine Ridge Reservation with seasonal job training and professional culinary experience. Since 2019, this program has addressed local labor shortages in Cook County while helping Lakota youth develop indigenous and global cooking skills to support economic growth back in their home community. Learn more: onespiritlakota.org/post/come-and-fry-big-back-eats