Starting Monday, anyone in USD 257 can pick up five days worth of free breakfast and lunch meals until Aug. 6.
The goal is to make sure everyone in the district has access to healthy meals, and to encourage families to eat together this summer.
The district received $8,609 in “Feeding Kansas Kids During COVID” grant money from the Kansas Health Foundation and Sunflower Foundation. The grant allows the district to expand its summer meals program to everyone — no matter their age.
Currently, the summer meals program serves children ages 1-18.
“With COVID, many people are without jobs. Some are still waiting for unemployment to come through,” Judy Baker, food service coordinator for the school district, said. “This is to help the community and make sure everyone is getting something to eat.”
The program starts Monday.
The meals will be provided in the same manner as the children’s meals program.
Each Monday, visit a pickup location to receive two breakfast meals and two lunches. One of the lunches will be served as a hot lunch.
Each Wednesday, visit a pickup location to receive three breakfasts meals and three lunches. One of the lunches will be served hot.
Most Iola residents are asked to come to Iola High School at 207 N. Cottonwood, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Follow the signs for drive-thru service. You won’t have to leave your car; someone will be waiting to hand you a package of meals.
Meal pickup locations are also dropped off by the MARV bus, but the process moves quickly so expect to be waiting at the location on time:
10:15-10:30 a.m – 2900 block of Dodge Drive
10:40-10:55 a.m. – 200 block of McGuire Drive
11:05-11:20 a.m. – Lincoln Elementary School, 700 N. Jefferson
11:30-11:45 a.m. – 400 block of Eisenhower Drive
