To make up for the lack of meals provided during regular school hours, students of Oregon schools will be offered free lunch services (pick-up only) during the COVID-19 closure.
In partnership with Oregon Hunger, not only students but any child from the age of 1 to 18 can take part in the “pick up and go” food service.
A large list of schools are taking part in the free meal outreach program. Many of the schools have their own specific window of time for meal pick-up, but all meal hours land between 10 am and 1 pm on weekdays. The grab-and-go meals are on offer until March 31.
Some schools are even offering breakfast pick-up programs.
Just a reminder @EastGreshamElem is providing breakfast and lunch to children 18 years and younger. You do not need to be a student of East Gresham to receive a meal. Breakfast is served from 8:30-9:00 and lunch is served from 11:30-12:30 from March 16th-20th & March 30th & 31st. pic.twitter.com/IOBZfnALBx
— Dr. Kimberly Miles (@afewthingsworth) March 16, 2020
Should your closest school not have a direct link on the free meal list, parents and Oregonians are advised to contact 211 for more information. Their hours of operations are seven days a week, from 8 am to 11 pm.
For college-aged students, the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) program has been updated in the face of this crisis.
The announcement of the free meals program comes after the Oregon Governor announced last week that all schools from grades K to 12 will be closed for at least two weeks amid rising spread and concerns surrounding coronavirus.
Today, Governor Brown issued new bans on restaurants and bars to stem community spread in the state.