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Area school districts finding ways to deliver meals to students
SIKESTON, Mo. — Classes may be out but food service is available at school districts across the Bootheel.
While schools are closed due to the coronavirus, or COVID-19, area school districts are finding ways to deliver the meals that many families depend on to feed their children during the school year.
SCOTT COUNTY
Starting Monday, Sikeston R-6 will provide breakfast and lunch to children ages 18 and younger throughout the district.
“We are going to provide both breakfast and lunch at one time and in the same bag,” said Sarah Thompson, communications/assistant to human resources for Sikeston R-6. “We we will do this according to our bus routes.”
This does not mean students have have to ride a bus; it just means the district has designated nine bus routes to administer the meals, Thompson said. These nine routes will serve all children in Morehouse, rural Sikeston and the city of Sikeston.
On Thursday evening, the district sent out via its social media and parent text an interactive map of the routes, Thompson said. The map is also housed on COVID-19 webpage on the district’s website.
“So, wherever they live, they can find their address and find the closest stop and what time the bus will be there,” Thompson said.
Deliveries will begin at 9 a.m. Monday through Friday.
“Some routes have eight stops and some have 18 stops, but we do intend on being able to feed anyone whose 18 or younger. They do not have to attend our school; they just have be in Sikeston,” Thompson said.
The times placed on the map for delivery of the meals is fluid, especially on the first few days, she said.
“We have a plan, but it could take longer than intended at any given stop so please be patient with us. We will alter our plans if we see something isn’t working efficiently,” Thompson said.
To ensure the safety of all students and their families, those waiting on the buses are asked to make a single-file line, she said.
“We also ask for drivers to be mindful that if they see a school bus, there will be children around so please proceed with caution and use normal safety rules by stopping when the bus arm and stop sign are out,” Thompson said.
The district’s food service provider, SFE, will make the meals, which will be free of charge. Everyone will receive food, Thompson said. Even if they run out on one bus, they have more that can be brought to that location, she said.
“Our goal is to feed any child in our school district who needs it, and we will ensure that happens,” Thompson said.
Due to USDA guidelines, district officials are unable to bring any undelivered meals back to the kitchen, she said.
“We have to distribute all the meals in the day; that is why we used a survey to get the most accurate numbers of those who planned to receive the meals,” Thompson said. “We do intend to park at the high school and put out a blast through social media or a text and say: ‘Hey, we have this amount of meals, and they are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.’”
The district has also established a Google form on its website to answer any questions from parents or community members. The form was scheduled to be put out Friday via social media, parent text, and it will be housed on the R-6 COVID webpage as well.
“During this time of uncertainly, Sikeston R-6 is here to help provide assistance to our families,” Thompson said.
Scott County Central School District on Wednesday began delivering both breakfast and lunch to each designated bus stop between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Families have been asked to have someone available to come out and pick up the meals during delivery times to help the process move smoothly.
On Thursday, Scott County R-4 “Kelly” School District began providing breakfasts and lunches to any student ages 18 and under within the district during the school closure.
Due to the large geographical size of the district, school officials are dropping food off at six centralized locations in its communities. If students are interested in receiving a meal at no cost to their family, have them meet the bus at the following locations during the hours of 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Monday through Friday:
— Benton Fire Station, 152 South Winchester, Benton
— Ferrell’s Mobile Home Court, Benton
— Blodgett Fire Station, 220 North Hawkins, Sikeston
— CO’s (next to Scheffers), 1558 State Highway H, Sikeston
— New Faith Church, 335 North Bridges, Diehlstadt
— St. Paul Methodist Church, Washington Street, Commerce
In extreme situations, if anyone is unable to meet at the predetermined locations please call any Kelly school office at 573-545-3541. Also continue to check the app and district Facebook page for any updates or changes to this program.
Oran R-3 School District on Wednesday also began providing free breakfasts and lunches to all children 18 and under in the district. Children are provided both breakfast and lunch in one grab-and-go bag. Meals can be picked up Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Oran Elementary gym or Perkins Fire Department.
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY
Charleston R-1 is beginning a “Neighborhood Food Program” for students needing free meals during the extended school closure, according to the school’s website.
The program will start Monday and will be available at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday each week until school returns to session.
There are five locations where students can receive breakfast / lunch:
• Charleston High School - a drive-thru will be establish at the back of the building by the kitchen doors from 11 a.m. to noon
• Bowden Center from 11 a.m. to noon
• Anniston Post Office from 11-11:30 a.m.
• Bertrand City Hall from 11-11:30 a.m.
• Wyatt junction intersection from 11-11:30 a.m.
The meals are for children 18 years of age and under only and students must be present to receive meals. Parents or guardians are asked to go to the school’s website and fill out the Survey for Neighborhood Food Delivery Program if they are interested in participating.
Starting Monday, the East Prairie R-2 School District will have breakfast and lunch available for those 18 and under to pick up from a variety of locations in the community.
The free meal program, dubbed EP Grab ’n Go Meals, will be available at the following locations: Eagles Landing, 9:35-9:50 a.m.; corner of Oak and Lee streets (old ballpark), 9:55-10:10 a.m.; North Martin (city pool), 10:35-10:50 a.m.; Munger Street (Housing Authority), 10:35-10:50 a.m.; Delmo, 9:35-9:50 a.m.; corner of Virginia and Nelson streets (Kathy Simpkins Park), 9:55-10:10 a.m.; corner of Center and Maple streets (old church building), 10:35-10:50 a.m.; corner of Folk and Walnut streets (storage shed parking lot), 10:15-10:30 a.m.; Whiting (former Du’s Package), 9:35-9:50 a.m.; Airline Acres bus stop, 9:55-10:10 a.m.; 420th Road bus stop, 10:15-10:30 a.m.; Powers Addition, 10:35-10:50 a.m.; Church of God Family Life Center, 9:35-9:50 a.m.; First Baptist Church parking lot, 9:55-10:10 a.m.; MFA parking lot, 10:15-10:30 a.m.; and City Hall (police station entrance), 10:15-10:30 a.m.
According to the East Prairie District’s announcement, there is no paperwork required to receive the meals, however the children must be present to receive a breakfast and lunch. Meals are not to be consumed on site.
Those who cannot get to one of the locations or need assistance are asked to contact Magen Berry at 573-649-8229 via text message.
NEW MADRID COUNTY
On Monday, meals will be delivered by school buses throughout the New Madrid County R-1 School District.
According to a letter issued by Superintendent Dr. Sam Duncan, bags containing breakfast and a lunch will be loaded onto the buses, which will arrive at the stops where children normally catch the bus. He estimated the buses will arrive about four hours later than normal pickup times.
“For example if your students’ bus normally picks them up at 7:05 a.m., the bus will arrive to drop-off food at 11:05 a.m.,” Duncan wrote. “Please remember these are estimated times.”
He said families should watch for the bus to arrive at the bus stop. When the bus pulls up the school-age recipients must be present to receive the breakfast and lunch bags from school personnel.
Those who miss a meal delivery or prefer to pick up the meals can do so from either Matthews Elementary School or New Madrid Elementary School between 10:30 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday.
To be eligible for the meals, families are asked to fill out a form, which is available on the district’s Facebook page or the Facebook pages of each of the elementary schools by Friday. The form can also be found at https://forms.gle/SD9kyeNX7Zri8y1G9.
In the event a family is unable to submit a form or has questions, they should email sduncan@newmadridco.k12.mo.us.
The Portageville School District’s food service company began serving free meals to children ages 18 and under on Wednesday.
Breakfast can be picked up between 8-9 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon at the Portageville High School Cafeteria. According to a news release from the school, breakfast and lunch will be available from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the back parking lot of the Portageville Elementary School.
Also the district has arranged for bus delivery of breakfast and lunch.
The buses will bring breakfast at 8 a.m and lunch at 11 a.m. to the Portage Village Pavilion; at 8:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. to the Strip Mall parking lot (across from Subway) and to the 5-0 Subdivision; at 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to the red building at the City Park and to Scrub Ridge; and at 8:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. to Rainbow City and to Point Pleasant.
Anyone with questions should contact the Portageville School District’s building administrators.
Beginning Monday, the Risco School District will provide a free drive through lunch/breakfast pickup for its students. Lunch, plus the next day’s breakfast can be picked up between 10:45 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday between the elementary and high school buildings.
Families in the school district that would like the meals are asked to fill out the form available on the district’s Facebook page or by going to https://forms.gle/6esfNh35q8GZRc4Y9
Gideon students, staff and volunteers went to work Tuesday afternoon unloading eight pallets of food. Together the group unwrapped and separated the food then boxed and bagged the items to create food baskets for all students while they are out of class.