Wake County Public School System is offering free lunches to its students during the coronavirus shutdown. | Courtesy Photo
Wake County Public School System is offering free lunches to its students during the coronavirus shutdown. | Courtesy Photo
With school closed until at least May 15, Wake County school district is filling a void by offering students free food.
The meals are accessible at 32 locations from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. The meals are available at district elementary schools, apartment complexes, churches, and community centers. Wake County Public School System closed in response to the coronavirus spread, which so far resulted in 10 deaths in the state.
Volunteers distribute food curbside for a safe pick-up, which cafeteria workers prepare.
WRAL.com reported the program is available for not only the 60,000 students on free and restricted lunches but their peers as well.
"This is a program that is available to all of our students, and we encourage families to come pick up a meal," Director Paula De Lucca told the media outlet for its March 23 report.
Students participating in the program receive breakfast and lunch meals. The food is served in packaged sanitized containers. Identification is not required for the program and children do not have to be present.
There are two other entities serving food in addition to the school district. Western Region sites offer at least one hot meal for kids 18-and-under. Inter-Faith Food Shuttle Mobile Market has perishable and shelf-stable food for everyone. For a complete list visit the Wake County Public School System website.
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