MOSES LAKE - Six gingerbread houses brought in $345 for the Moses Lake Food Bank.

The gingerbread houses, made by Columbia Basin Job Corps Culinary Arts students and staff, were auctioned at a Community Relations Council luncheon Dec. 13.

The food bank was presented the funds and nearly 30 toys for children from Columbia Basin Job Corps staff.

Moses Lake Mayor Ron Covey bid $20 for a gingerbread house made by Culinary Arts Instructor Theresa Clement, and announced he would match the $100 winning bid from last year.

"I just felt like it was such a worthy cause that my original bid wasn't enough," Covey said.

He said he was certain his granddaughter would love the gingerbread house, which featured working light posts, a chocolate tree, and a roof made of Frosted Mini-Wheats.

Student Amanda Krueger said she spent two days making her gingerbread house. She said she liked her tree, which was made out of corn flakes and marshmallows.

"It's really good," Krueger said.

After graduating from Columbia Basin Job Corps, Krueger plans to attend advanced training for culinary arts in bakery.

Student Joe Hulse said he spent 13 hours working on his gingerbread house.

"I loved it," Hulse said. "I love doing art projects."

Hulse said he is not certain what he wants to do after graduation. If he continues pursuing culinary arts, he hopes to appear on television doing pastries for a channel such as the Food Network.

Moses Lake Food Bank Assistant Executive Director Peny Archer thanked Job Corps for selling the gingerbread houses each year to benefit the organization.

"Food's coming in, food's going out, and now we're working really hard to get toys," Archer said.