Western Pa. school districts rally to feed students during school stoppage over coronavirus

School districts across Western Pennsylvania scrambled this week to find ways to feed students after classes were canceled for at least two weeks as officials grappled with ways to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Volunteers and district employees handed out more than 800 bags of food for breakfast and lunch between Monday and Wednesday for any Jeannette child who wanted one, Superintendent Matthew Jones said. About 50 bags are prepared for each of five distribution locations, and more can be added as needed throughout the day, he said.

Thursday’s bags will contain breakfast bars, milk, a lunch salad, bread, cheese, vegetables and fruit.

Across the Mt. Pleasant Area School District, staff members prepared nearly 800 lunches Tuesday and Wednesday for two distribution locations, Superintendent Timothy Gabauer said. On Friday, each family will get extra food to last through the weekend, he said.

“The families picking up the meals have been extremely gracious and very appreciative,” Gabauer said.

Greensburg Salem School District is offering free “grab-and-go” meals to all students, regardless of whether they qualify for free and reduced meals at school.

Families can pick up meal packs, which include breakfast and lunch, from 10 a.m. to noon weekdays at Hutchinson Elementary or Greensburg Salem Middle School, regardless of where the students attend. Drivers are asked to remain in their vehicle. District employees pass meals through the car window.

The meal program will continue until the closure ends.

Penn-Trafford School District is offering “grab-and-go” breakfasts and lunches, with pickup available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the high school. Each package contains meals for several days.

Greater Latrobe is providing free breakfast and lunch. Meals are available for curbside pickup from 11 a.m. to noon daily at Latrobe Elementary. Service started Tuesday and will continue next week.

Students receive two meals at once — a lunch and breakfast for the following school day, Assistant Superintendent Mike Porembka said. The district served close to 150 students Tuesday and more than 260 Wednesday.

The Franklin Regional School District will provide breakfast and lunch at no charge to students who qualify for free and reduced meals, district officials said Wednesday.

“The district reached out to eligible families, and service will begin on March 19,” communications director Cara Zanella said. “If any family is experiencing hardships with food or in other ways, they should contact their building principal.”

Hempfield Area had about 175 qualifying children receive a bagged breakfast and lunch Wednesday. The district is using five schools as distribution sites from 8 to 10 a.m. daily: Maxwell, Stanwood and West Hempfield elementary schools, Wendover Middle and the high school. The district delivered meals to families who could not make it to one of those sites.

Next week, deliveries will be made from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

“We will provide multiple days of breakfast and lunch,” said Superintendent Tammy Wolicki.

At West Mifflin, our cafeteria workers, para-educators, school police and principals helped prep and distribute 550 lunches Wednesday.

Penn Hills School District will serve grab-and-go lunches to children weekdays during the state-wide school closure.

There will be two meals in one bag per child to take home weekdays from noon to 2 p.m. at Linton Middle School, 250 Aster St.

Children must be present to receive the food.

Superintendent Nancy Hines said everyone is doing their part to serve the community while adhering to safety guidelines during the coronavirus outbreak.

“We will do our best to limit physical contact among children, their families, and our staff during distribution,” she said. “Each meal packet will include lunch items for immediate consumption and an extra item that may be saved for breakfast next day.”

Hines said meals were served Wednesday and there was a large turnout.

More information about district activities and alerts can be found at phsd.k12.pa.us.