Burrell delivers meals to students' doorsteps during school shutdown

While many school districts are providing food to their students while schools are closed, Burrell School District has gone a step further by delivering food directly to its students’ homes.

“We do want everyone to know that we care,” Burrell food service director Andrew Klipple said. “With all there is out there to worry about right now, we wanted to take worrying about food off the table.”

Burrell has about 1,800 students from Lower Burrell and Upper Burrell. When school is in session, Klipple said the district serves about 900 lunches every day. Fewer students get breakfast.

When administrators found out Friday that schools would be closed for at least two weeks under state order because of the coronavirus pandemic, Klipple said their first concern was the students.

“For a lot of them, breakfast and lunch at the school are sometimes the only meals they get, if not the most substantial,” he said. “The administrative team felt that we needed to go above and beyond. We’re not a huge school district, and we feel we can do more for the students.”

In addition to making food available for pick up at the high school, Klipple said the team quickly put together a home delivery service, with administrators, principals and custodians taking food directly to students’ homes.

“This was all very last-minute,” he said.

The district sent out a survey to find out how many families would be interested in getting meals. So far, about 220 students are getting food, with 150 to 160 getting it through deliveries.

The service started Tuesday, and Klipple said the plan is for it continue every day schools are closed.

“We’re looking to be prepared for as long as it goes on for,” he said.

Whether picked up or delivered, students get lunch for that day and breakfast for the next morning, he said.

Custodians are using district trucks and vans to deliver food, while administrators are using their own vehicles.

Klipple said they ring the door bell, leave the food at the door and leave.

No hot foods are offered. Klipple said lunch items include deli meats and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, milk, fruit and vegetables. For breakfast, students get items such as muffins, doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, toaster pastries and juice.

Families that have not signed up for meals for their children can still do so, Klipple said.

Parents can call any of the district’s schools, where secretaries are still working, or contact him by email at andrew.klipple@burrell.k12.pa.us.