The Douglas County School System will continue feeding students while schools are closed in response to a coronavirus threat.
Beginning March 18, free meals will be available for children ages 0-18 at several Douglas County sites. Meals will be available for pickup at five locations: Alexander High School, Chapel Hill High School, Douglas County High School, Lithia Springs High School and New Manchester High School.
Each location will provide a Wednesday drive-up service for 100 children from 9:00 AM until noon. Douglas County School Nutrition will distribute five days worth of breakfast and lunch to children every Wednesday until school resumes. Meal service will increase based on the needs of the community. If the school closure extends, service will extend into other areas.
Executive Director of School Nutrition Danielle Freeman says this is one of many ways the award-winning Douglas County School Nutrition Department meets the needs of the community. “The Douglas County School Nutrition Department is always looking for additional ways to feed and support children throughout the school year,” she says. “This meal service is another way to help children in need. It is our role and our responsibility to be there for the students in our community.”
The community meal service is available for all children ages 0-18, regardless of school or place of residence. Children must be present in the car to receive meals. Each child present in the vehicle will receive a five-day supply of breakfast and lunch. Parents and children must stay in the car and drive through the front entrance of the school for meal service. Visitors to New Manchester High School must enter through the back Cafe entrance, where nutrition workers and volunteers will deliver meals.
Due to an overwhelming response, we are completely staffed with workers for the upcoming Wednesday meal service. After consulting with public health professionals we have determined that Douglas County School System employees will entirely staff the meal preparation and delivery to students. This will enable us to maintain effective social distancing for our students and our school community. The Douglas County School System is extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from friends and community supporters!
