GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. — Groups in Marshall County are helping feed families in need. They gave out Thanksgiving dinners Friday morning. But, Monday, they’re switching gears to feed students.
The Marshall County Child Nutrition Program distributed meals today with assistance from the School Board.
Marshall County Schools have gone back to virtual learning until January 5. But, they’re making sure to still provide opportunities to feed their over 5,700 students with ‘Meals to Go’. They expect about 20% of students to come to receive a meal bag. Over 20 million kids would receive free lunches every day before the pandemic. That demand hasn’t gone down since.
Marshall County Child Nutrition Program organizers say they’re urging parents to take advantage of this program. We spoke with Casey Partain, the Director of the Marshall County Child Nutrition Program. Partain tells parents, “Don't think ‘Oh, there’s another family that needs it more than we need it.’ Please, we want every family in Marshall County to come out. You’ll pick up a whole bag. It'll be five breakfast meals, five lunch meals for the whole week… Taco and grilled cheese sandwiches. Things that are easy for them to cook at home and that children like.”
Students will receive a week’s worth of breakfast and lunch at each pick up. The first distribution day is Monday, November 16 from 11:00 to 11:30 am. Students can pick up the meals at their respective schools. According to a Marshall County Child Nutrition Program Facebook post, all cafeterias will offer the curbside meal pick ups.
The group will not be distributing meals during the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks.
The Marshall County Child Nutrition Program gives the following information in a Facebook Post:
Registration is NOT required. Any child 18 and under may receive a FREE bag of breakfast and lunch meals.
Virtual students will now join remote students for pick-ups on Mondays instead of Tuesdays. Please contact the CNP office at 256-582-7385 with any questions.
The school system also depends on these meals being given, because that is how they continue to receive federal funding.
You can see more dates for 'Meals to Go' food distribution below:
Monday, November 16, 2020 11:00 am- 11:30 am
Monday, November 30, 2020 11:00 am- 11:30 am
Monday, December 7, 2020 11:00 am- 11:30 am
Monday, December 14, 2020 11:00 am- 11:30 am
Refer to the post below, and check with the Marshall County Child Nutrition Program Facebook page to monitor any potential changes in scheduling.
