By Harmony Weinberg, Communications and Public Relations Manager
LYNNWOOD – With many uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing is certain, the Edmonds School District’s commitment to feeding children.
Ever since all schools in the district closed on Monday, March 16, 2020, the district’s Food and Nutrition Services Department has served more than 170,000 free meals to children to date.
“Our staff members have been on the frontline of this virus since day one by coming to our school kitchens every week day to prepare food for children,” said Food and Nutrition Services Director Megan de Vries. “No matter anyone’s financial situation during this pandemic, our school district is committed to making sure all children have access to free meals.”
All children ages one to 18 are encouraged to come to one of the district’s 27 meal sites to pick up a breakfast/lunch meal kit. These meals are not just for students who qualify for free or reduced meals, they are for all children, no matter their family’s financial status.
“There are so many amazing examples of our staff rising up and demonstrating resilience, dedication, commitment and compassion and we applaud and thank each of them,” said Superintendent Dr. Kristine McDuffy. “I am so impressed by our food services team and their work to feed all children in our communities.”
A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS:
- 27 – The number of Grab and Go meal sites for drive thru and/or walk up services. The purpose of the large number of meal sites is to provide access to all our families throughout the district.
- 5,000 – The number of meal kits served each day.
- 22 – The number of school buses driven by our Transportation Department to deliver food to families who cannot access a meal site.
- 1,600 – The number of home delivery meals driven by our district drivers daily.
- 17,472 – The number of meals served on Friday, April 24, 2020. On this day the district launched a plan for every Friday to not only give a meal kit for that day, but two more to provide meals to nourish children over the weekend.
- FUN FACT – You can go to our lunch menu webpage and enter the school site you plan to pick up your meal and get a look at what to expect, including nutritional information.
SUMMER MEALS FOR CHILDREN
The district has the capability to continue to serve meals to students through Friday, June 26, 2020. Plans are underway to continue meal sites at fewer locations throughout the summer. The district will provide an update on summer meals and share that information with the community in June.
HOW TO HELP
Community members wanting to assist in feeding children and their families are encouraged to go to our Volunteer/Donate webpage for more details.
Author: Mario Lotmore
