The National Associations of Catering Executives (NACE)

NACE is the oldest and largest professional association that addresses all aspects of the catering industry, and its mission is to provide catering and event professionals with superior education, networking, and resources to enhance career success and deliver excellence to clients. Through the collective efforts of members, local chapters, committees, and the Foundation of NACE, NACE is at the forefront of the issues that directly affect its members and their businesses.

From practical tips that can be used to provide better service to clients, to recognition and marketing programs that enhance the credibility and professionalism of the field, NACE is on the cutting edge. From educational programs to standards, to ethics, to legislative monitoring, NACE leads the way.

The Baltimore Chapter of NACE is currently the second largest chapter in the nation, providing its members with monthly meetings that feature nationally renowned speakers, educational programs, idea sharing, and networking.

Through Chapter involvement, members have the opportunity to work on community service projects and voice their opinion about issues that affect them locally and nationally.

The Foundation of NACE

In 1985, NACE created the Foundation of NACE to further the association's positive impact in educating future catering professionals at the university level.

The Foundation awards grants to established catering courses and degree programs in college curricula. Through the Foundation, NACE is helping universities and colleges recognize the importance of culinary degrees.

The mission of the Foundation of NACE is to “professionalize” the catering industry and those who choose catering as a lifelong pursuit by:

• Providing access to dynamic speakers at national and chapter events
• Providing access industry data and information for its members
• Building an endowment to fund scholarships for students preparing careers in catering

The Foundation’s board of trustees is proud of the accomplishments of the Foundation to date and are excited as well about new opportunities to grow and expand the footprint of the Foundation on the catering profession:

• Funding independent research reports that establish the Foundation as a thought leader and repository of critical industry data; such as salary levels, education programs, and regional measures of the profession
• Promotion of the NACE certification, the Certified Professional Catering Executive (CPCE), which is designed to establish standards within the industry, and to assist professionals within the industry in gaining the knowledge expected of a broad-based professional
• Reevaluating the Foundation’s relationship with the University of Houston and the Catering Research Institute and developing the most appropriate form of research delivery for the industry
• Developing an apprenticeship program for chapters to facilitate learning experiences for student members

Meals on Wheels

Mission: To enhance quality of life through the provision of nutritious meals, personal contact and related services.

Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland is a nonprofit organization that enables homebound people to eat well and remain in their own homes. Our dedicated staff and over 2,000 volunteers prepared and delivered over 758,516 nutritious meals last year to 2,995 clients of our program.

But, we are truly “more than a meal.” We provide grocery shopping & delivery and a phone pal program, as well as other support services, to help our clients maintain independence and peace of mind.

Meals on Wheels has been serving people who are homebound due to age, illness or disability since 1960 and service is provided to individuals in Baltimore City as well as Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard counties. Limited service is also available in Frederick and Montgomery counties.

Meals on Wheels charges a fee based on a sliding scale that takes into account each client’s income and acceptable expenses. Staff works with each client to determine their specific fee.

We look forward to celebrating our 50th Anniversary in 2010 and we hope that you will believe in, and support, our organization and the necessity of our charitable mission.

For more information on our services, volunteer and donor opportunities and special events, please visit: www.mealsonwheelsmd.org or call 1-866-558-0827 (toll free).