March 23, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
Automobiles began lining up more than 2 hours ahead of time this morning (Monday) at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center on the first day of a drive through food distribution for kids out of school due to the COVID-19 threat. Another distribution was held simultaneously at DeKalb West School.
The First Baptist Church served as the host for the event in Smithville, also supported by other churches in cooperation with the DeKalb County School District to make sure students, regardless of income, are fed while at home. The only requirement was that students, age 18 or younger, had to be in the vehicles driving thru according to state and federal guidelines.
Hundreds were served in today’s distribution. The pickup line in Smithville began at the Life Enrichment Center and extended down Church Street in front of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home and beyond.
Next week, March 30 and until school goes back in session, the school system will be taking on the food distribution at the same two locations on Mondays and Thursdays with continued support from churches.
“We will be preparing meals on Mondays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. until 12 noon at the same locations, the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center and at DeKalb West School. We will be putting together breakfast and lunch meals and additional food on Mondays starting March 30 for a three day supply and a two day supply on Thursdays beginning April 2,” said Director of Schools Patrick Cripps.
“We will have volunteers distributing the food. As you pull up to the buildings we will hand out food for the numbers of students age 18 and younger who are in the car,”he said.