Karen Moschella is helping to provide meals to Saugus students during the coronavirus crisis.
Moschella, owner of the well-known Off Broadway Dance Studio in Chelsea, teamed up with Jamie Osgood, general manager of Whitsons School Nutrition, Cathy Calderone, Denise Palladino, wife of Boston Celtics public address announcer Eddie Palladino, in the distribution of lunches last Friday outside Saugus High School.
“We’re just trying to do our best to feed the kids in Saugus and do our part for the community,” said Whitson.
Moschella said she was happy to participate in the group effort.
“I’m happy to help the children and families in Saugus, said Moschella, who extended her gratitude to Kettle Cuisine for their donations of soups.
The group was also giving out weekend meals as part of the Healthy Students Healthy Saugus backpack program. “We serve about 60 kids every weekend, enough food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner Saturday and Sunday, so we’re distributing that food as well,” said Whitson.
Moschella, Calderone, and Palladino work for Whitson’s Culinary Group, food provider for the Saugus schools.
“They’re helping me to distribute food – they’re great people,” said Osgood. “They care a lot about their community.”
Moschella has owned the Off Broadway Dance Studio for 18 years. She is a former Chelsea High School cheerleader, Class of 1982, and a former Miss Teen Chelsea. During the closure of the dance studio, Moschella, her daughter Brianna, and other instructors are conducting dance classes on the Zoom network.