Changes in inventory, distribution make second EVSC, AmeriQual meal kit pickup go smoothly
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Nearly an hour before volunteers began loading up milk creates and handing out boxes of food, cars filled Central High School's parking lot waiting for the district's second meal kit pickup to start.
And they didn't leave empty handed.
Following the first meal kit distribution two weeks ago, which saw a shortage of kits, the EVSC and AmeriQual Group made changes to increase the amount of food boxes provided to local children.
After receiving criticism from area parents, many of whom left without food following the April 29 pickup, the organizations agreed to increase the number of meal kits from 8,000 to 10,000 – a total of 200,000 meals.
And with additional assistance from other community partners, EVSC spokesman Jason Woebkenberg said more than 11,000 meal kits were provided across the city.
A number of volunteers, including EVSC Superintendent David Smith, joined the collective effort. They began placing towers of milk crates and meal kit boxes near distribution tables, from which they would be placed inside the cars of area families in need.
In addition to the increased number of meal kits, the EVSC made another change for distribution, combining previous "grab and go" locations and moving them to larger sites.
The Southern Indiana Career & Tech Center replaced the previous Stockwell and Vogel Elementary School sites, and Central High School was home to former Highland and Stringtown Elementary School locations.
The move aimed to reduce traffic congestion encountered at the former sites. Woebkenberg said the change made Wednesday's distribution process a lot easier.
"People have been moving through the lines quickly and efficiently," he said. "This has really proven to be a good decision, to take two former sites and combine them here at Central this week ... Very smooth process for today."
Parent Aaron Crowe, who went to Stringtown Elementary for the first meal kit pickup, said Wednesday's program was a lot more efficient, making up for the perceived deficiencies of the previous dispersal.
"It's easily accessible here," Crowe said. "Stringtown isn't the most optimally located school. It's kind of busy, and tied up on Mill Road is not where you want to be. It was very jammed."
And, while Crowe explained that the meal kit items aren't necessarily his child's favorite things to eat, it's been helpful to have the provided meals during difficult circumstances.
"Trying to get him to eat it is kind of tough, but it's better to have (the meal kits) on hand when he needs it and not have to worry as much."
Sherri Schneider, a Central High School custodian and volunteer, thought the corporation's latest meal kit distribution efforts represented an improvement.
"I think it's very efficient," she said. "These guys got it down. They've been doing it at other schools, and I'm real impressed how they got it set up. It's gone really smooth."
As volunteers continued handing out meal kits beyond the scheduled time frame, there were still tens of crates and wooden pallets filled with meal kit items left to distribute.
None of the listed "grab and go" locations ran out of food or meal kits, Woebkenberg said. And with Wednesday's food drive coming to a close, the corporation will begin the summer "grab and go" program starting May 27.
The program will return to multiple distribution days throughout each week. More information will be provided on EVSC's website and social media accounts.