EVSC students receive free 'grab and go' meal packages during school closures
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Walking alongside her two siblings Tuesday, 15-year-old Angela Snodgrass joined several community members outside Cedar Hall Community School's doors to receive free "grab and go" meals.
With Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. schools closed through April 13 due to the coronavirus pandemic, Snodgrass, a freshman at Central High School student, said the district's free meal program has made it easier for local families.
Snodgrass and her siblings said the impact to the community from the coronavirus, coupled with being raised by just her father after her mom passed away last April, makes the feeding program a needed resource during a difficult time in the city.
"Due to the coronavirus, we're off for school for weeks, and that's going to be hard for parents to find food," she said, "so it's a good opportunity to come over.
"Especially in this neighborhood; it's harder."
The program continues through Friday and then starts again March 30, running weekdays through April 10. EVSC and other partnering organizations are passing out bags filled with breakfast and lunch items to local children at 13 school locations in the area.
Snodgrass said her and her siblings intend on going to Cedar Hall every day and will seek other programs during spring break.
Lisa Vaughan, Junior League community vice president, said the program's ability to provide for families and create a sense of unity among community members has driven her and others to volunteer. Junior League volunteers were one of many organizations helping with EVSC's program this week. Junior League is also distributing meals in certain locations during spring break when EVSC takes a break from its feeding program.
"This is a feeling of community," Vaughan said. "This is what we're here to do; we're here to live together, work together, play together and communicate. This isn't a feeling of reward, this is what we do."
Vaughan said Junior League and the EVSC will continue to repackage "grab and go" meals in accordance with state regulation to ensure all meals are being served to local children throughout the school closures.
Meals are free for anyone 18 and under. They don't have to be registered in that district to receive one, but the child must be present. Meals are available from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at:
Caze
Cedar Hall
Delaware
Dexter
Evans
Glenwood
Harper
Hebron
Lincoln
Lodge
Stringtown
Tekoppel
Vogel