Emma Finton has been a foster parent for more than 30 kids since 2022. On Wednesday night, foster families like hers received a special meal as a thank you for all the care they give to the children who come into their lives.

As each family came through the door at the Village of Hope CDA, they were greeted by a bouquet of flowers before they got a hot meal from Chef Tim Mitchell of Mangia Catering Co.

"I loved it, It was super delicious and it was a really big blessing," Finton said.

Kenna was most excited for her mac and cheese and the opportunity to practice spelling at high speed.

"I know how to spell my name, K-e-n-n-a," she said.

May is National Foster Care Month and as a tribute to local families and the support work Village of Hope CDA does, Mitchell came up with the idea to cater a celebration of the love and labor that foster parents pour into their families.

"We saw it was foster awareness month and saw an opportunity to serve the community that's always serving others and so we made a hot meal to go," Mitchell said. "It’s all about connecting and providing a resource for people, making it an easy night out for foster families."

The hot ready-to-go meals included gourmet mac and cheese, pulled pork and barbecue sauce, potato salad and sparkling drinks.

Mitchell said taking dinner out of the equation to give the families some relief was just being a good neighbor. 

"My wife and I just find a lot of value in what they do for our community," Mitchell said. "Having kids myself and having an organization here that supports kiddos and their well-being is something that we’ll always be for."

At a table with his foster mother, Crystal Hardt, Edward couldn't wait to tuck into the meal, almost singing when it came to talking about his food.

"I love mac and cheese and meat," he said.

    Foster mom Crystal Hardt brought Dade 9not pictured), Michael and Edward to a foster family appreciation night Wednesday at the Village of Hope in Coeur d'Alene.
  

    Chef Tim Mitchell prepared meals for about 30 people as part of a foster family appreciation night at the Village of Hope on Wednesday.
  

    Chef Tim Mitchell gets utensils for Emma Finton, Kison and Kenna to eat the meals he prepared during a foster family appreciation night event.