Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Nutrition Group Assistant Food Service Director Candis Rieder shows Eisenhower Elementary School second-grader Amolia Jackson (right) and first-grader Harrison Cathcart what is included in the U.S.D.A. Summer Food Service Program weekend meals.

When schools let out for Christmas break, the cafeterias will be quiet.

But, during the weeks leading up to that break, there will be extra work putting out extra meals to make sure Warren County’s youth don’t have to go hungry.

The Warren County School District will continue to provide meals for all children ages 18 and under whether school is in or not.

The district is providing free meals to all students in the schools and will continue to do so under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program.

The department extended the program multiple times this year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and it is now in effect through the end of the school year and it includes weekends and holidays.

There is an extended holiday coming up and the district has established its plan to distribute food for that break.

“With the Month of December having changes in the normal school day calendar, we wanted to share with you the pick-up schedule for those receiving free breakfast and lunch,” Director of Business Services Jim Grosch said.

“To ensure that students have meals over the upcoming holiday break, additional meal pack bags will be coming home with students in December,” Grosch said. “These are similar to the Weekend Meal Bags students have been receiving each Friday before boarding the bus.”

“Every Friday in December the students will continue to receive the weekend meal pack with two free breakfasts and two free lunches,” he said.

Additional distributions of breakfasts and lunches for students in the schools include:

¯ Thursday, Dec. 17 — four days; with a normal weekend distribution of two days on Friday, Dec. 18;

¯ Monday, Dec. 21 — four days; and

¯ Tuesday, Dec. 22 — four days.

The program is not limited to students who are in the schools or even those enrolled in the district.

“Since we are using the summer food program, as approved by a special waiver from the USDA, meals are available for all children that are 18 years of age or under, even if they are not students,” Grosch said.

Any families with children who are not in the district and those who have students who are participating in the district virtually that are not already signed up may sign up by visiting the WCSD website, and clicking Providing Student Meals to Virtual Learners under the ‘news’ tab or by calling the food services office at 723-6900 ext. 1602.

The schedule for the distribution of breakfasts and lunches for virtual and off-site students and others is:

¯ Monday, Dec. 7 — three days;

¯ Wednesday, Dec. 9 — four days;

¯ Monday, Dec. 14 — three days;

¯ Wednesday, Dec. 16 — four days; and

¯ Monday, Dec. 21 — five days.

The first day back from break, Monday, Jan. 4, will be a three-day pick-up.

“Pick up time at your school is 10 to 10:30 a.m. at the designated cafeteria door or meals will be available in the school office from 10:30 am to 1 p.m.,” Grosch said.

“In an effort to provide meals for students over the upcoming holiday break, if any virtual and online student would like to receive additional food, you may sign up to receive a four-day pack on December 17 and a five-day pack on December 22,” Grosch said. “Pick-up times would remain the same as listed above. All parents picking up meals will be asked if they would like this additional pick up.”

Anyone picking up meals must comply with CDC guidelines regarding masks and distancing, Grosch said. “We will be doing the same.”

“We are hopeful that every student and child takes advantage of this program as participation is what will help us continue to offer all the meals we are offering and especially the meals over the weekend and during the holidays,” Grosch said. “Our goal is to make sure that no child goes hungry… period.”

The guidance from the state and the Pennsylvania Department of Education is fluid, Grosch said. There could be changes to the schedule and parents are asked to regularly check the schedule on the district’s website and Facebook page.

In the event of a two-hour delay on a distribution day, the normal schedule will be followed. However, to avoid added congestion as buses arrive, those picking up meals are asked not to arrive before 10 a.m.

If school is canceled on a distribution day, pick-up will be held on the next school day.