Drivers pulled their cars up in an orderly procession at Southwest Elementary School on Monday, March 23, the first day of school meal distribution in the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools System. The free school meals are being distributed to students each school day from 10 a.m to noon through April 1.
The program was created due to schools being closed to lessen potential exposure to and spread of COVID-19.
Even though a slight drizzle chilled the air, about 25 cars were already in line before the distribution started at 10 a.m. Monday.
Each bag is packed with breakfast and lunch items so students will get the meals they would normally receive as if school was in session.
“We’ve prepared 1,700 meals for this location [Southwest Elementary],” said Kimberly Hancock, SCCPSS executive director for elementary/K-8 schools. “We are prepared here with more meals if needed, or we can transport some meals to other distribution sites. We are just glad to be able to serve the children.”
According to a press release issued last week, “SCCPSS staff will be available at the designated sites each day from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Service will not be provided inside the school building,” the release stated. “Children must be present to receive the meal and to be counted for required state and federal record keeping.”
The district has designated 12 sites where meals can be picked up each school day: Hesse K-8 school and Formey Early Learning Center; Gadsden, Brock, Haven, Southwest, Juliette Low, and Hodge elementary schools; West Chatham Middle School; Groves and Johnson high schools, and the School of Liberal Studies at Savannah High School. Families in need of meals for their children may visit any site, regardless of their specific school attendance zone, and any changes or updates will be posted on the district website at sccpss.com, the release concluded.
“This is a new experience for all of us,” said Hancock. “We’re lucky that last week was spring break so we had the chance to get set up and do a dry run.”
The district is hoping to make this situation as close to normal as possible for the students with the daily meal distribution. Additionally, students do not have to worry about future “make up” days. The online learning tools sent home before spring break — the Choice Boards — count as a school day. “Students must do at least one activity each school day, then they have up to five days after returning to school to turn those in to their teachers,” Hancock said. All the information about the Choice Boards is available on the district website.
