CINCINNATI, Ohio—With many students learning remotely for the start of the school year, many school districts had to be creative to make sure their students were still fed each day.
What You Need To Know
- Cincinnati Public Schools is handing out a weeks worth of free breakfasts and lunches to any student
- CPS wanted to make sure that students would still get fed even while learning remotely
- Local organizations also donated family meals and canned goods.
Cincinnati Public Schools made the difficult decision to go virtual for at least the first five weeks of school. But staff wanted to make sure all students that utilized free and reduced meals at school would still get the food they need.
“It’s our responsibility to make sure that all of our students are receiving nutritious, healthy meals, to fuel them up to help them learn whether they’re in the classroom or learning remotely from home,” Jessica Shelly the director for student dining services at Cincinnati Public Schools said.
CPS says 85% of students get free or reduced breakfast and lunch when school is in session. So they knew they had to adapt.
“We know there’s a need to provide our students with a healthy and nutritious meal,” Shelly said “And we’ve found that the families have come out and picked up meals and we’re honored to be able to provide that during this time.”
Now every Wednesday from noon to four, CPS staff at all schools will be handing out five days worth of free breakfasts and lunches, along with donated meals and canned goods. Parents say the help is especially appreciated during this hard time.
“It’s pretty awesome that just the city is pulling together and being able to help through all this craziness,” Tomeckia Derossett a mom of three CPS students said. “Especially looking out for the young ones because if somebody doesn’t what are we gonna do? Just so grateful for their help, I appreciate it.”
But for CPS, feeding kids in the community has become a bigger issue this school year than before.
“I think the biggest challenge right now is that the USDA didn’t extend the waivers that allow us to provide these meals to all children in our community,” Shelly said. “We’re limited to provide them only to CPS enrolled students and that is leaving a huge gap of food insecurity in our city.”
This impacts schools all across the country. CPS hopes more school districts speak out so more children in communities can be fed.
