March 19, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
The DeKalb County School System, with help from local churches, is working to make sure students, regardless of income, are fed despite school being out because of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Beginning Monday, March 23, students can pick up a box of food items for the week of Spring Break at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center and at DeKalb West School from 10:30 a.m. until 12 noon.
However because of state and federal guidelines, the food will have to be distributed in a “drive through” pickup line at both locations and students, age 18 and younger, receiving the meals must be in the vehicle.
“We have had an outpouring of churches wanting to help our students to make sure they are getting food so Monday, March 23 churches are preparing food boxes for our students,” Director of Schools Patrick Cripps told WJLE.
The following week, March 30 and until school goes back in session, the school system will be taking on the food distribution on Mondays and Thursdays with continued support from churches.
“The churches are still going to carry on with us and we greatly appreciate that,” Director Cripps continued.
“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,”
“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.