Drive by meals were handed out at 20 Montgomery County Public Schools Tuesday, the second day of no school for students.
The District is distributing grab and go meals from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday for anyone 18 years and younger while schools remain shuttered due to the coronavirus.
As of 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, 120 meals already had been distributed at Montgomery Blair High School, according to Catherine, cafeteria manager at that school.
On Monday, 77 meals were distributed, she said, as she stood ready with her clipboard to keep track of the number of young people they fed.
As a car drove onto the school’s front parking lot, a cafeteria employee walked up to the window and asked how many meals were needed. That employee then yelled out the number, and another employee quickly approached the car with the requested meal bags.
The whole transaction took just a few minutes, alleviating the need for long lines and crowds. The entire procedure took place outside.
“It’s been very helpful,” said Jennifer, who walked over with her daughter.
“We are going to come every day,” she said, noting not only did her daughter get a free and nutritious meal, but they also both got exercise during the walk.
6 feet apart and ready to serve! Blair Security, SRO, and Cafeteria Staff continue to provide meals to our MCPS students. It’s great to see students asking for their instructional packets to continue the learning! #servicewithasmile #learnwhileyoueat pic.twitter.com/bC6btUJ8em
— Brandi K. Overton (Richardson) (@BrandiKOverton) March 17, 2020
Accompanying them were Eric and his two daughters.
“This saves us a lot of food,” he said.
Without knowing how long schools will be closed and with so many empty grocery store shelves, the two adults wanted to ensure their food will last, and that “they are not always eating the food from the refrigerator,” Jennifer said.
The two families made a picnic out of their lunches of sandwiches, cheese stick, carrots, fruit and vanilla and chocolate milk. The three girls, who ranged in age from five to eight, sat down on the sidewalk, ate and chatted.
Shyrl Coker walked over to the high school on University Boulevard and Colesville Road with her two young children.
Happening Now at Blair: Free lunch for all MCPS students. Thank you food services staff for serving our community. Thank you @NateTinbite for visiting Blair today and participating in our social distancing photo. pic.twitter.com/zXXzIY7xDV
— Renay Johnson (@blairprincipal) March 16, 2020
“It is not because I don’t have any money,” Coker said of her reason for coming. “But grocery store shelves are so empty, and I want to make sure they get the foods they will eat,” she said, noting her daughter, who is in first grade, receives a reduced price lunch daily at Sligo Creek Elementary School.
“I know it’s going to be some stuff she will eat,” she said of the bag she was handed.
Grover, a tenth grader, and Hugo, a fifth grader, also had walked over to get their lunches.
This afternoon I visited Blair High School — the largest in Montgomery County — supporting @MCPS’ efforts to provide food for all the students who need.
Thank you to all the staff and volunteers who are ensuring that our children are cared for during this crisis. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/jlCxVz9yG3
— Evan Glass (@EvanMGlass) March 16, 2020
“It definitely helps, because the grocery stores are getting destroyed. There’s no food at the grocery store,” Grover said.
Here is the list of schools offering the meals. Appointments are not needed.
