MOUNT VERNON — Seven weeks, 750 students served and more than 70,000 meals.
Mount Vernon City Schools’ free meal program served the community rain or shine this summer, providing a new option for families and students.
MVCS families were able to pick up a week’s worth of meals at a drive-thru distribution each Tuesday. Every student registered for the program received seven breakfasts, seven lunches and two half-gallons of milk to take home.
The seven-week program served 750 pre-registered students and distributed approximately 73,500 meals.
The program was made possible through a rural non-congregate meal service approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and allowed MVCS to expand free meal access beyond the classroom.
How the program began
Director of Food and Nutrition Services Meg Reed celebrates her third year at MVCS in August and nearly 25 years in the food service industry. From university dining to corporate dining and high-end restaurants, Reed has a comprehensive understanding of the industry.
Reed was also in charge of developing and launching the summer meal program.
Her vision began last summer, during which Dan Emmett Elementary and Pleasant Street Elementary had a free lunch program where students could eat on-site during the summer.
“Although there were some benefits to that program, the participation was very low,” Reed said. “… I went into the summer really trying to find a way to benefit the community and a larger population.”
The idea evolved into a weekly drive-thru meal pickup program that allowed families to take home their meals.
“I know that (the program) was a benefit to the students because, in my years here, I’ve heard a lot about how some of our students don’t eat when they go home, they don’t eat on the weekends,” Reed said.
Each box contains a variety of options and ready-to-make food — so even the youngest students can make their own meals. And while only one vegetarian family participated this summer, the box was specially made for the students’ needs.
Looking to the future
“We’ve received a huge influx of emails, thanking us for the program simply because it took off that stress level. It did allow for a cut in (family) grocery bill(s),” Reed said.
Demand to join the program was high and pre-registration filled quickly. According to Reed, the reason registration is limited comes down to one factor: freezer space. She said expanding the program will take meticulous planning to find the most effective way to do so.
Although Reed was unable to attend the final pickup day, there was no lack of support for the program.
From food service workers and teachers to students and MVCS Board of Education members, volunteers from across the district came together to help. Superintendent Bill Seder was among those who helped.
“We are really proud of that effort and hope that we can be able to continue that for next year — families have really benefitted,” Seder said.
Reed said she hopes the district can build on this summer’s success and expand the program to serve even more families next year.
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