Three weeks after the beginning of an indefinitely long spring break, classes are still suspended, but lunch is back on. Tuesday, March 31, bagged meals were made available to children and guardians at Mt. Eccles Elementary School. All children 18 or younger, including non-students, are eligible for these meals, according to a March 26 Cordova School District release.
Distributions will be held each Tuesday, according to the release. Families whose surnames begin with letters from A-K will be able to pick up meals between 10-11:30 a.m., while families whose surnames begin with letters from L-Z will be able to pick up meals between 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Anyone picking up a meal is asked to maintain a distance of 6 feet from others waiting in line. No public access will be given to the school building for any reason, according to the release.
Each “grab-and-go” bag contains one ready-to-heat meal; enough lunchmeat, cheese and bread to prepare four additional meals; five fruits; five vegetables; five containers of milk; and five complete breakfasts.
This program was made possible when the Department of Agriculture waived a rule requiring students to consume meals on school grounds as part of federal food service programs, according to the release.
“As we move forward into the home stretch of the remainder of the school year, staff will monitor and adjust our approaches to working with families and students, as needed,” wrote Superintendent Alex Russin in a March 27 announcement. “We look forward to the opportunities these uncharted times present and hold an optimistic view that we will grow and connect in meaningful ways with our students and families with the new learning we encounter.”
