1 Million Meals Distribution to be Recognized

U-46 Food and Nutrition Services Department will recognize the distribution of 1 million meals. School doors had closed in mid-March as the COVID-19 Pandemic swept the world. Amid the pandemic, more than 160 School District U-46 employees raised their hands to support meal distribution at 26 sites. Many of the dedicated team members will recognize the distribution of a million meals in just two months on Friday.

“We’re so proud and honored to help our families in this time of need,” said Elena Hildreth, Director of Food and Nutrition Services. “Our team has rallied and grown closer to each other and to our families even as we are physically apart.” School administrators and food and nutrition workers will recognize the million meal mark at 10:30 a.m. at the onset of meal distribution by pausing to make a little noise – clanging lids, ringing bells and banging drums.

The financial impact of the pandemic has been hard on these employees. On March 17, the first day, more than 12,000 meals were distributed. Those figures have since quadrupled, which will lead to Friday’s predicted tally. Free breakfast, lunch, dinner, and, snack, packaged for all children 18 and under three days a week is provided by the U-46’s program.

U-46 food service workers observe all social distancing and safety protocols. They washed hands frequently, use hand sanitizer, wear masks, gloves and stand six feet apart as they work the assembly line each Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning before starting food distribution at 10:30 a.m.

Team members pack double the amount of food on Mondays and Wednesdays that last two days. Once school dismisses for the summer, U-46 plans to distribute breakfast and lunch at 14 sites until at least July 1, 2020.