Michael Raby arrives at about six in the morning with his co-workers in order to prepare food for UPrep’s students, faculty and staff. The long hours previously prevented the Commons Cafe from creating a permanent after-school snack program, but with new free time on his hands and unrelenting belief in the importance of snacks, Raby founded Big Mike’s Snack Shack.

“A lot of work goes into the commons. It’s hard, but the way my kids’ daycare, school, and everything lined up, it just works for me to do it,” Raby said. “The commons used to close around 1:45. Now the commons will stay open consistently until 3:15, but it is completely hinging on me.”

Inspired by providing the quality options to students, Raby bakes fresh cookies and sets out a selection of 11 types of ramen and 39 types of chips specifically for the after-school snacks. 

“You can tell by the excitement and the amount of stuff that kids are picking up, in particular, ramen, that this is something that is really needed,” Raby said.

Junior Tobin Schubert agrees with Raby’s assessment, especially when he is hungry after track practice.

“I love going to get snacks after track when I’m tired,” Schubert said. “I can go in and I can get a drink or a snack. It’s really nice that the school provides that for us even after hours.”

One of the most unique parts about Big Mike’s Snack Shack is its emphasis on teachable life lessons. Unfortunately, these lessons are most often a response to theft. The following is Raby’s over-rehearsed speech when confronting students who try to test their luck:

“Is it worth salting your name over a bag of chips? At this point you’re young—it may not seem like a big deal—but as you get older, your dignity is a very important thing to maintain,” Raby said. 

According to Raby, right now, the effects of theft are inconsequential to both students and the program. This doesn’t mean that it is okay to steal; it does mean that Raby’s response can be about life lessons rather than discipline.

“There is nothing malicious going on,” Raby said. “Growing up is always a work in progress, and this is a good setting to learn important things in life like honesty, integrity and dignity.”

Overall, Raby’s goal goes beyond food. Big Mike’s Snack Shack offers the chance to eat, learn and connect.

“It is the way of our people to sit down together and share a meal. We do it in all different ways, with all different kinds of people and in all different kinds of settings,” Raby said. “Being able to have that here makes for a completely different environment after school, when everyone’s sitting down, enjoying themselves with the snack, sharing and trading, making new friendships.”