After seven weeks of providing 119,000 curbside pickup meals for students during the COVID-19 pandemic, Stacey Townsend and her staff at Seymour Community School Corp. aren’t taking much of a break.
The school district’s annual summer food service program begins June 1 and runs for eight weeks, ending July 24. This is the 12th year the free meals have been offered.
Because of continuing COVID-19 restrictions, meals will be distributed in the same fashion as they have been during eLearning, said Townsend, who serves as director of child nutrition programs.
There are three meal sites this year: Margaret R. Brown Elementary School, Seymour Middle School and Seymour High School.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
"This is a special program that is available in low-income areas," Townsend said. "We qualify to operate the program at schools that have more than 50% of their students qualifying for meal assistance during the school year."
Meals will be available curbside from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Two breakfast and lunch meals will be provided Mondays, and three breakfast and lunch meals will be distributed Wednesdays.
All children ages 18 and younger are eligible for the free meals, not just SCSC students. Meals for adults will not be available this year.
Last summer, around 23,500 meals were served through the food service program.
"This program has continued to grow and grow every year," Townsend said.
She expects more families will be in need of food assistance this summer due to many people still being off of work because of COVID-19.
There are no income qualifications to participate, and registration is not required, making it perfect for busy families and child care providers, Townsend said.
"The waivers that have been enacted to allow us to distribute meals for home consumption without children present have been extended through Aug. 31," Townsend said. "We will continue to operate our program in compliance with USDA regulations and state guidelines."
Townsend said she is excited to add some new items to the menu to increase variety.
"We will be including some individually wrapped items that can be heated at home, such as personal pan pizzas, Bosco breadsticks, mini cheeseburgers and burritos," she said. "Of course, we will continue to have some kid-favorite, ready-to-eat items, too, like PBJ Uncrustables and Pop-Tarts."
All items will come with reheating instructions and food safety information, she said.
Nearly 60% of SCSC students qualify for meal assistance through free and reduced cost meal plans, and many parents rely on the schools to provide breakfast and lunch during the school year.
"When school is out for the summer, that need doesn’t go away," Townsend said.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Seymour Community School Corp.’s annual summer food service program begins June 1 and runs through July 24.
Because of continuing COVID-19 restrictions, the free meals will be distributed in the same fashion as they have been during eLearning.
The meal sites are Margaret R. Brown Elementary School, Seymour Middle School and Seymour High School.
Meals will be available curbside from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Two breakfast and lunch meals will be provided Mondays, and three breakfast and lunch meals will be distributed Wednesdays.
All children ages 18 and younger are eligible for the free meals, not just SCSC students. Meals for adults will not be available this year.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
