School districts make plans to feed students
By CHRISTINE HAINES
chaines@yourmvi.com
As the mandatory two-week shutdown of schools in Pennsylvania continues, districts in the Mon Valley are making arrangements to continue their meal programs for students in need.
In addition, several community organizations and restaurants are offering free meals for children.
Belle Vernon Area
According to Superintendent Michele Dowell, the Bag Brigade from Gospel Alliance Church in Rostraver Township, which provides weekend food for students in need, provided a double portion of food Friday, so no lunch pickup program will be provided now. The district is seeking guidance from the state regarding the assistance that may be provided.
California Area
Pre-packed lunches will be available to go from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the side entrance of the California Area High School Cafeteria. One free meal is available to any child up to age 18.
Charleroi Area
The district will provide a Grab and Go lunch for any child 2 to 18 years old. To use this service, go to the district website to complete the order form. It must be completed by 11 p.m. the night before.
Lunches will be available for pick up from 11 a.m. to noon, weekdays only, at Charleroi Area High School (outside the auditorium lobby), Fallowfield Volunteer Fire Department (rear entrance), Charleroi Volunteer Fire Department Annex (beside fire department), Stockdale Fire Department, and Lock No. 4 Volunteer Fire Department (in front of garage doors).
With the state closures of libraries, John K. Tener Library will no longer be a site for picking up lunch as previously communicated.
When picking up lunches, there will be no congregating or hanging around the food pick-up locations. Also, there is no access to the buildings at this time.
Elizabeth Forward
Parents can receive lunch for children ages 2 to 18. The district will provide a meal for each student who has signed up beginning today (weekdays only). Parents only need to sign up once. Click the link on the district website. Meals can be picked up at Elizabeth Elementary School, 207 South Third Ave., or Elizabeth Forward Middle School, 401 Rock Run Road between 11 a.m. and noon. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
McKeesport Area
Starting today, students can pick up breakfast and lunch Mondays through Fridays between 9 and 11 a.m. at Twin Rivers Elementary (back entrance near playground) and Founders’ Hall Middle School (cafeteria doors near stadium.)
Monessen
Breakfast and lunch will be available Mondays through Fridays for students who are registered. The registration form is on the district website or can be filled out at the school during pickup. The pickup location is at the Monessen Elementary Center (1275 Rostraver St.) cafeteria doors 11 a.m. to noon.
Ringgold
Meals will be provided on a drive-through basis for all students at three school buildings from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. They can be picked up at the front of Ringgold Middle School, the rear of Ringgold Elementary School South and the side of Ringgold Elementary School North.
South Allegheny
Breakfasts and lunches for students will be available starting today from 9 a.m. to noon at the Glassport Youth Center, Club 22, Lincoln Borough Volunteer Fire Department and Port Vue Volunteer Fire Department. Grab-and-go meals will also be available at the middle school/high school at the cafeteria doors, South Allegheny Elementary at the main entrance, and the Elementary Center at the side door by the baseball fields.
West Jefferson Hills
The district is working with its food service management company to provide meals to any student in need of lunch. Meals will be delivered by school buses from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day at Floreffe Fire Hall, West Elizabeth Fire Hall, Marhoefer Drive Apartments, Mowry Park, 885 Fire Department and Entrance C117 in the back of the high school.
During the coronavirus closure, the district will make lunches for any student who reserves a meal by 5 p.m. for the following day. To place a lunch order, email foodservice@wjhsd.net or call 412-655-8610 x6232 and state the name of the student(s) needing a lunch and the distribution location for pickup.
Meals will be delivered Mondays through Fridays as long as the district remains closed. The name(s) of the students must be provided when picking up the meals.
Organizations/
businesses
In addition to the free meals being provided by the schools, the Stockdale Fox’s Pizza Den will offer a free slice of pizza to students in the Roscoe, Elco, Stockdale and Allenport area from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. Roscoe Volunteer Fire Company will offer free meals to children from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Meals will be “to go” only.
