MADISON COUNTY, ALABAMA, Ala. — The financial impact from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to linger for many families in North Alabama.
Because more people than ever are facing food insecurity, schools in the Huntsville-Madison County area are stepping up to make sure no student goes hungry even after school lets out.
Huntsville City Schools Child Nutrition Program Director Henry Ward said, "The summer program is so important and so valuable and so very needed within those communities where those particular young people would not get an opportunity to eat otherwise."
Throughout the 2020-2021 school year, public school systems in North Alabama have been able to provide free meals to every student in their districts whether they qualify for free lunch or not.
Madison County Schools Director of Equity and Innovation Dr. Rachel Ballard said, "The pandemic revealed that food insecurity exists in our community, and some families may have experienced job loss or maybe they became sick and they were hourly workers and they weren't able to work, that impacted their family budget and because their school is able to provide free breakfast and lunch, that definitely helped families."
Madison City Schools Child Nutrition Program Coordinator Marty Tatara says more students in the Madison City School System are eating school meals because of the free option.
"We always ran about 50% participation during lunch and now it's at 65%," said Tatara. "Since the meals have been offered at no charge, we've seen a significant improvement as far as just the number of children getting meals."
Federal funding is allowing schools in North Alabama to provide these free meals throughout the summer and extend their reach to families who have never had the opportunity to participate in summer feeding programs.
"Madison City doesn't have enough children on free and reduced lunch to qualify for summer feeding," said Tatara. "You have to have about 50% of your student population on free or reduced lunch, so although it's something we've really wanted to do every single year for twenty plus years we've been a school system, we've never qualified and been able to do it, so now with the waivers offered, we're going to be able to feed our students who are in learning programs this summer, so we're really excited about that."
All three school systems in the Huntsville-Madison County area are providing free breakfasts and lunches at both school-based summer learning programs and pick-up programs each week this summer.
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Huntsville City Schools is also offering meals through mobile delivery sites. They say this allows them to provide more meals throughout the city.
"Those meals are prepared at a specific school site, loaded into the van, kept warm, kept cold, and delivered to different locations," said Ward.
These school systems say the free meals this summer are for any student who wants to participate.
"Maybe you're not necessarily feeling that you have a food insecurity. Everyone across our district is welcome to join us to receive a lunch and breakfast. It's not just for those who have identified as being free and reduced lunch services. It's for every single student in the Madison County School System," said Dr. Ballard.
Huntsville City Schools
Huntsville City Schools curbside and mobile summer meal options start Monday, June 7 and end Thursday, July 22.
Curbside Meal Sites
Dates Served: Monday, June 7, 2021 - Thursday, July 22, 2021
Closed Monday, July 5, 2021 for Independence Day
Days Served: Monday - Thursday
Times Served: 11:30 am -12:45 pm
School Sites: Lakewood Elementary, Morris Elem./Middle, Rolling Hills Elementary, Whitesburg Elem./Middle
Mobile Meal Sites
Dates Served: Monday, June 7, 2021 - Thursday, July 22, 2021
Closed Monday, July 5, 2021 for Independence Day
Days Served: Monday - Thursday
Dr. Richard Showers Recreation Center: 11:00 am -12:00 pm
Brahan Springs Park: 12:45 pm - 1:30 pm
Parents can pick up meals from mobile delivery sites for their children without their children being present.
For more information about Huntsville City Schools Summer Feeding Program, click here.
Madison City Schools
Madison City Schools pick-up meals will be available starting Tuesday, June 8 and runs through Tuesday, July 20.
They will have pickup lines every Tuesday at Bob Jones and James Clemens high schools in the bus loops from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. Participants will receive 7 pre-packed lunches and 7 pre-packed breakfasts.
For more information about Madison City Schools Summer Feeding Program, click here.
Madison County Schools
Madison County Schools will begin their summer feeding program on June 7. Meals can be picked up at the following schools:
June 2 - July 1, Monday - Thursday
Meridianville Middle School
Moores Mill Intermediate School
June 7 - July 1, Monday - Friday
Buckhorn Middle School
Central School
Endeavor Elementary School
Harvest Elementary School
Hazel Green Elementary School
Legacy Elementary School
Madison Cross Roads Elementary School
Monrovia Elementary School
Monrovia Middle School
Mt. Carmel Elementary School
New Market Elementary School
Riverton Elementary School
Sparkman Middle School
Sparkman 9th Grade
Walnut Grove Elementary School
June 7 - July 9, Monday - Friday (Closed July 5th)
Madison County Elementary School
New Hope Elementary School
June 7 - July 16, Monday - Friday (Closed July 5th)
Owens Cross Roads Elementary
Families are encouraged to contact their child's school for specific pick-up times.
For more information about Madison County Schools Summer Feeding Program, click here.
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