Free meal programs continue at schools

Marysville, Arlington and Lakewood schools will continue to provide free meals to all local children in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since March those school districts have provided free meals as part of a program with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The breakfasts and lunches were meant to help students, especially those who normally rely on school meals or families that have had their jobs disrupted due to the pandemic.

"We were notified that we would not be able to continue that this fall, however that changed," said Jodi Runyon, director of communications, engagement and outreach with the Marysville School District.

The USDA recently extended the program through Dec. 31.

Runyon said the program is contingent on funding, so if the money runs out it could end earlier than Dec. 31.

The meals are provided to any child under the age of 19. They do not have to be enrolled in their local school district and there is no registration required for the meals program.

Arlington School District still puts out pre-order forms on their website.

"You don't have to fill out the form, but it is very helpful for us so we know how many meals we have to prepare," said Brian Lewis, director of operations with the Arlington School District.

School district officials said they are happy to be able to continue the program.

"We know that we have kids that are learning at home right now and we want to provide them with the meals they need," said Scott Peacock, superintendent of Lakewood School District. "We want to make as much support available as possible."

Lewis said since March the meals programs for Arlington have been used by hundreds of families in the district.

"If that happens again it will tell us that there are still a lot of families in need," he said. "The employment pictures in the county has changed quite a bit so we're happy to help."

Keeping students healthy is important for their social development as well as their education, said Runyon.

"We are always working to meet the needs of the whole child," she said. "Access to meals helps give relief to some of the families who may be struggling right now."

The free meals are available to anyone who stops by one of the meal locations.

"A lot of people think that you have to be approved for free or reduced lunch, but that is not the case, this is open to everyone," said Runyon.

Local school officials are still strongly encouraging parents to fill out and return their free or reduced lunch applications, especially if they've had a change in income.

"That way they'll be ready to receive free or reduced lunch in January if we switch at that time," said Lewis.

School districts may return to the traditional paid program at that time if the USDA does not extend the program further.

Marysville School District

Marysville School District's free grab-and-go meals program began on Sept. 9.

"It does look a bit different from summer because we're not at as many locations," said Runyon.

The district is still providing meals at each elementary school between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, as well as six rural bus routes for students who are not within walking distance of a school.

Those bus routes are available at bit.ly/FreeMeals2020.

Arlington School District

Arlington's meal service and pickup times are posted at asd.wednet.edu.

Pick-up times are from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at most schools in the district. In addition there is evening pickup from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Presidents Elementary as well.

The Arlington School District is providing all of the week's meals on one day each week, instead of being open for pickup each day.

They will provide meals equal to the number of school days in the upcoming week, which will usually be five but sometimes less, said Lewis.

Unlike the summer program, "we're not going out into the neighborhood," said Lewis.

Students and families will "have an opportunity to pick up something from the school," and keep in touch with principals and staff while picking up meals, said Lewis.

"We're trying to stay connected to the community," on a more limited basis, he said.

Lakewood School District

Lakewood's program began on Sept. 8 and will be held the first school day of each week at Lakewood High School from 9 a.m. to noon.

"Right now we are providing curbside pick-ups," said Peacock.

They are providing meals for the entire week all at once.

The district is also looking at the possibility of expanding the meal program to more locations.

For more information about the meal program go to the district's Food Service webpage at https://www.lwsd.wednet.edu/Page/99.