Meet our staff
Founder and Director
Melissa Smith is the founder and director of The Lunch Wagon. Together her husband and 5 children live in Allendale. Melissa is active as a mom, foster parent support specialist, and is currently working with CCI(Community Children's Impact) to begin a home for foster families and emergency placements and is active with the Allendale First Christian church where her husband preaches. Their family loves spending time together and getting to serve the community!
Amazing Cooks
Karla McCowen started helping in 2023 for the Lunch Wagon. She has worked serval years as a cook for the Allendale School in the past so has lots of experience serving food! Her and her family live in Allendale.
Courtney Potts is joining us this summer to help cook. Her family has been a huge part of the Lunch Wagon for many years! We are so excited to have her help this summer!
Once Family Always family
Past Cooks
"Having amazing people to help serve the children of Wabash County is one of the greatest blessing for me managing the Lunch Wagon! Caring for the families and working hard to give them great food, has been a huge goal for each person that has worked with our team. And they do so with excellence and joy!!"
- Director Melissa Smith