The Guilford Foundation (TGF) awarded a $10,000 grant to fund the reopening of the Guilford High School Snack Shack, a vital fundraising hub for athletic booster clubs. Thanks to extraordinary community collaboration and fast action, the concession stand was renovated and reopened in just 30 days, in time for the first home football game of the season.

For years, the Snack Shack has been more than a place to grab a hot dog or soda. Operated by booster clubs from high school and youth sports programs, the stand generates tens of thousands of dollars annually to fund booster activities and traditions that enrich the student-athlete experience. When the concession stand was required to be brought up to current health codes earlier this year, the community faced the possibility of losing a key resource.

Nicole White, Co-President of the GHS Touchdown Club, led the charge. “This was truly a community-wide effort,” said White. “Once the health department gave us 90 days, we realized the initiative was bigger than what the booster clubs could handle alone. The Guilford Foundation stepped in immediately, not just by funding the project with a $10,000 grant, but by connecting us with the right people and rallying support. That made all the difference.”

The total project costs were close to $40,000. The $10,000 grant from TGF, combined with $8,000 in funding from the Guilford Board of Education, covered the cost of equipment and building supplies. The remainder of the expenses was for trade work, which local contractors generously donated.

The rapid turnaround of the Snack Shack would not have been possible without the dedication of volunteers, local contractors who donated their expertise, and the leadership of First Selectman Matt Hoey. “This is Guilford at its best,” said Hoey. “Neighbors, parents, and businesses are stepping up to make sure our kids have the resources they deserve. Completing this within 30 days demonstrates the community’s commitment to its young people. I’m grateful to everyone who pitched in and got it done so quickly.”

The Guilford Foundation, which invests in the community through its grantmaking and leadership, saw the GHS Snack Shack project as a perfect example of its role. “Our mission is to connect resources to needs,” said Liza Janssen Petra, Executive Director of The Guilford Foundation. “When Nicole came to us with a plan, we knew it mattered not just to athletes but to the whole community. Our funding support jump-started the project, which rallied town officials, volunteers, and tradespeople to collaborate and meet an aggressive timeline. Situations like this are what make Guilford so remarkable!”

Before the renovation, the building was a shack with wood counters and shelves, along with unfinished concrete floors. To bring it to code, it needed to meet restaurant standards. Contractors replaced every part of the shack, including insulation, walls, floors, ceilings, shelves, and counters, to meet the health department’s sanitary surface requirements. They also installed new appliances and sinks, along with painting the exterior.

The concession stand officially reopened for Guilford High School’s season opener against Cheshire, welcoming athletes, families, and fans back with a sense of pride, community, and connection.

The Guilford Foundation, Town of Guilford, and Guilford Public School thank the contractors that donated their time to make the project a reality: Bold Wood Interiors, Green Apple Spray Foam, The Hinding Group, Lakeview Building & Remodeling, Paint The Edge, Poolscape Pools & Spas, RooterMan Plumbing, Voltz Electrical, and Witt’s Tree & Landscaping.