Most years, summer meal programs are a way for K-12 students to eat for free, an extension of the state’s free and reduced-priced meals program, while school is out.
This year, summer meal programs will look a little different, and for some, will carry on as an extension of the meal programs that were already in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.
At least through the end of the month, meals will continue to be provided at Greenwood, Clark-Pleasant and Franklin schools. Families with students at Indian Creek, Edinburgh and Center Grove schools can travel to other feeding sites to pick up meals, said Jill Overton, food services director for Franklin schools.
“We wouldn’t question where they came from,” Overton said. “It could be someone from Franklin Community Schools or someone driving down (U.S.) 31 and they’ve noticed the summer feeding site, as long as they’re in the 18-and-under age category.”
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Parents can also pick up food for their children. All the parent has to do is tell the food service workers how many children they have and they will receive enough meals for those children.
Since schools were forced to close their doors in March, Franklin schools has distributed more than 40,000 meals.
The meals are distributed from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through July 31 at Northwood Elementary School, during which parents receive five breakfasts and lunches for each of their children, Overton said.
Greenwood and Clark-Pleasant schools will also continue to serve meals to all students this month, but have not made any announcements about plans for July.
Students in Greenwood can get food from 9 to 11 a.m., Monday through Friday through at least the end of the month at Isom Elementary School, Superintendent Kent DeKoninck said in an email.
Clark-Pleasant schools will also continue to distribute meals through June 30. Food service workers will distribute the meals to families from 9 to 11 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at Clark-Pleasant Middle School. The food is free to students younger than 18 years old. The district is also providing free meal delivery to families who email spokesperson John Venter asking to be added to the delivery list, according to Clark-Pleasant’s website.
Whether school districts operate summer feeding sites depends on the percentage of students who receive free and reduced-price meals.
About 46% of Clark-Pleasant students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, according to data from the Indiana Department of Education. At Greenwood Community Schools, that number is 47%. And at Franklin Community Schools, about 42% of students qualify.
While Edinburgh schools has the greatest percentage of students in the county who qualify for free or reduced-price meals—69%—it does not have the staff available to continue its meal program during the summer months, said Doug Arnold, superintendent.
“It’s not that there isn’t a need … The issue is the cost and the reimbursement we may or may not receive, and having staff available is not easy, especially with the COVID-19 outbreak,” Arnold said.
Indian Creek and Center Grove schools have just 31% and 21% of students receiving free or reduced-price meals, respectively. Neither host summer meal programs.
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Summer meals will be distributed at the following sites:
FRANKLIN SCHOOLS
Northwood Elementary School, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesdays through July 31
CLARK-PLEASANT SCHOOLS
Clark-Pleasant Middle School, 9 to 11 a.m., Mondays and Wednesdays through June 30
GREENWOOD SCHOOLS
Isom Elementary School, 9 to 11 a.m., Monday through Friday, through at least June 30
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