Adelante Schools, The Colts, and Patachou Announce Partnership to Elevate School Meals

At Adelante Schools, we are committed to creating an environment where our scholars not only excel academically but also enjoy the best possible experience during their time with us. Today, we are excited to share a significant milestone in our journey—thanks to the incredible generosity of the Indianapolis Colts and the visionary leadership of The Patachou Foundation. With a $1 million gift from the Colts, the work we have led over the past our kitchen and cafeteria at Emma Donnan School #72 have been transformed into “Colts Commons,” a state-of-the-art space where nutritious, scratch-made meals are prepared daily for our scholars.

A Transformative Partnership

The Indianapolis Colts have long been champions of our community, and their recent $1 million gift—funded by proceeds from the Colts’ gameday 50/50 Raffle—represents a major investment in the future of our scholars. This generous contribution will help provide 1.2 million meals to 3,500 students across Indianapolis over the next five years, with Colts Commons at Adelante Schools leading the way.

When we launched Adelante Schools, our vision was clear: to offer the best possible scholar experience, which includes ensuring that the meals served in our school are not only nutritious but also exciting and enjoyable. Last year, we made a bold move to elevate our meal program by transitioning from reheated, truck-delivered food to freshly prepared, scratch-made meals crafted in our newly renovated kitchen. This shift didn’t just improve the quality of food—it created well-paying jobs in our community and marked the beginning of what it truly means to eat well in our school.

An Enhanced Scholar Experience

Our scholars have embraced these changes with enthusiasm. From rave reviews of our salads to the excitement over edamame on the menu, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. But this transformation is about more than just the food on the plate—it’s about how we use meals to enhance the overall educational experience. Whether it’s incorporating fresh-baked apple treats during lessons on apples or featuring cultural dishes during Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re making food an integral part of learning. “Our scholars are not just eating healthier meals—they’re engaging with their food in meaningful ways that enhance their learning experience,” said Edward Rangel, CEO of Adelante Schools. “By incorporating nutritious meals into the fabric of our educational approach, we’re seeing improvements in focus, attendance, and overall academic success. This is about more than just food; it’s about setting the stage for our scholars to reach their full potential.”

The Patachou Foundation’s PataSchool initiative has been instrumental in making this possible. By collaborating closely with our operations team, they helped design and construct a restaurant-quality kitchen that now serves over 450 students. Thanks to their leadership, we’ve increased the amount of fresh food in our school by over 65% and reduced waste by more than 75% through the use of reusable dishes.

“Our partnership with the Indianapolis Colts and The Patachou Foundation is a testament to the power of collaboration,” said Jordan Habayeb, COO of Adelante Schools. “This investment goes far beyond financial support; it reflects a shared commitment to ensuring our scholars have the resources they need to thrive. Together, we’re creating an environment where every meal contributes to the well-being and success of our students.”

Building a Stronger Future

Today, we are proud to unveil Colts Commons, a space that symbolizes the power of partnership and the commitment to providing the best for our scholars. The Colts’ investment in our kitchen is not just about serving meals; it’s about creating a sustainable model that ensures every child has access to high-quality food that fuels their success in the classroom and beyond.

We are deeply grateful to the Indianapolis Colts, The Patachou Foundation, and all our supporters for helping us take this significant step forward. Together, we’re not just improving school meals; we’re building a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant school community.

Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. We invite you to visit Colts Commons and see firsthand the impact that nutritious, scratch-made meals can have on our scholars. Let’s continue to work together to ensure that every child in Indianapolis has the opportunity to thrive.