Kiski Area School District distributes thousands of free meals to students

Kiski Area School District distributed nearly 3,100 meals to students Friday, providing breakfast and lunch to last throughout the weekend for more than 500 district students.

Amid school closures, Kiski Area School District has distributed free meals at East Primary School nearly every day this week.

Superintendent Tim Scott said the district distributes two meals a day: lunch, as well as breakfast for the next day. But the district gave out six meals per student Friday, to last through lunch Sunday.

“Even though we’re in a national crisis, we’re allowed to find the strength to draw something good out of this,” Scott said.

When the district started the meal distribution Tuesday, it served 252 students.

By Thursday, the cohort had grown to about 400. Then on Friday, it grew to 516.

Because more than half of East Primary’s student population qualifies for free and reduced-price lunches, the district received a waiver to provide meals for any student under 18 at that location, Scott said.

Overall, about 48% of the district qualifies for free and reduced-price lunches. At East Primary, that figure is up to 70%.

Ron Coleman, a district administrator, participated in the meal distribution Friday. He said he was amazed by the camaraderie he witnessed as Kiski food service workers, administrators and at least one school board member handed out bagged meals.

“We are in a time of uncertainty,” Coleman said. “And if nothing else, this little show of community effort and community sharing can be some hope for what tomorrow could be.”

As the district evaluates its next steps, planning for distance education if schools are not reopened, Scott said meal distribution is an important way to maintain a connection with the community. Education, Scott said, goes beyond the work that’s done in the classroom.

“It’s one of those professions where you kind of have a higher purpose,” he said. “It’s more than putting in your time and drawing a paycheck. For me, it’s getting me into a different environment where I can see firsthand things I don’t necessarily see on a daily basis.”

Scott said he is hoping to expand meal distribution to buildings other than East Primary. In a district serving more than 100 square miles, he said, it can be difficult to get food to all who need it from one location.