Many school systems in Kentucky are closing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, leaving some students worried about meals in the coming weeks.
Various school districts in western Kentucky are under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a federal program which allows schools to provide all students with daily breakfast and lunch at no cost. Under the unprecedented worldwide coronavirus pandemic, school district food services departments are creating alternate plans to serve the children in their districts who rely on those free meals.
Leah Feagin is the nutrition director for Mayfield Independent Schools, which is one of many in the region whose entire district qualifies for CEP. She says under these unexpected circumstances, some homes may face food insecurities.
“If no one's home during the day or if there is not much food in the home, then school being out, however long, can be quite a hardship, on not only students but the family,” she said. “So, when unexpected closure happens the food is not necessarily in the home.”
Feagin says she believes most school systems closing for the next two to three weeks will operate their free meal plans similar to the Summer Food Service Program.
“Today, the plan is that the program that is offered during the closure is essentially the same thing as the Summer Food Service Program, it's just going to be in March,” she explained.
Feagin said the plan for her district includes only “to-go” lunches served from the cafeterias. Meals are available to any students up to 18 years old who come to the mobile meal sites, regardless of where they attend school. Meal sites will operate Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Marshall County will be delivering meals the next 10 school days, beginning March, 16th through March, 27th. Students will be provided both breakfast and lunch.
Bus drivers will be delivering meals to all houses on their routes between 10:00 to 10:45 a.m.
A satellite location will be set up at Forthman Foods from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. Monday - Friday. Heath Elementary School will also be open between 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Food services directors in Christian, Trigg, Calloway, and Marshall counties say they are actively planning similar strategies.
Mayfield will offer mobile meal sites for the students in walking distance of seven different locations:
· Grace Baptist Church parking lot/MES- 1000 Backusburg Rd
· Mayfield Football Stadium Parking lot- 901 W. Lockridge
· Mayfield Bus Garage- 502 S. 12th ST.
· St. Joseph Parking Lot- 702 W. Broadway
· Mayfield Electric and Water- 301 E. Broadway
· GC Health Dept. - 416 Central
· Christ United Methodist Church-1322 W. Broadway
