Parents voice further frustrations over EVSC, AmeriQual meal kits

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Following a turbulent distribution of meal kits Wednesday, which left tens of area families without food boxes, parents voiced frustrations about the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp.'s latest initiative.

Despite the EVSC's partnership with AmeriQual Group, who jointly produced and distributed 8,000 meal kits Wednesday afternoon, many families waited up to an hour in line and received no food.

The shortage drew questions from parents, who pointed to the corporation's perceived "irresponsible" preparation and lack of restrictions.

EVSC parent Julie Fox said there should've been parameters in place to ensure all low-income families received meal kits.

As she read through Facebook comments from other area parents, they cited how many recipients had "out-of-town" license plates and appeared to have higher incomes than those in need.

"I find it reprehensible that resources are going to people that do not need them," Fox said. "I can assure you that we have (a lot of) need in our community; there should be some attempt at checks and balances in distribution so that it gets to where it’s needed most.

"I’m disgusted that no monitoring system was in place."

According to an EVSC parent who declined to be named, she was "astounded" by how many families who appear to have the resources to feed their children were handed meal kits – including her own neighbors. 

"I don't have a problem with the program, I think it's great," she said. "But let's make sure the people that need food get food, and those of us that can go to the grocery go to the grocery store."

When Fox was asked if she would need the 20 meals included in the meal kits, she said "no." But, for families in need, she thought their names would be marked on a list, with the corporation directing them to pick up the meal boxes at their children's school.

In response to local parents' concerns, EVSC spokesman Jason Woebkenberg said the corporation has communicated with AmeriQual representatives, who ensured there will be an increase in meal kit inventory to upwards of 10,000 units for the next distribution date – set for May 13.

And, concerning requests for restrictions, Woebkenberg said the EVSC is unable to establish many due to USDA guidelines.

To receive funding for the distribution of meal kits, which partially reimburses the district, the EVSC can't restrict children 18 and younger from receiving food based on their income, the school district they attend, or other factors.

"The government does not allow us to make those type of rules or guidelines for the program," Woebkenberg said, "so we serve anyone who is 18 years or younger."

As far as handling other issues families have raised, Woebkenberg said the EVSC is developing a plan to make distribution days a lot easier going forward.

He urged residents to keep others in mind, especially low-income families who rely on the district's free meal program to feed their children.

"I don't have specifics yet as we continue to plan and evaluate how the process unfolded (Wednesday)," he said. "We just ask members of our community to please keep in mind, as we try to be equitable and have enough for food everyone, that people should follow the expectation that it's one meal kit per child. And we certainly hope everyone is being honest in making those requests to feed their family."

To fill in the two-week absence of food distribution, individual schools have connected with their community partners – churches, PTA or other organizations – to help provide food for families that missed out on Wednesday's food drive. 

While their efforts aren't in association with the EVSC, Woebkenberg previously told the Courier & Press that the corporation is encouraging other community leaders to step up during this time to provide food and other resources for those in need. 

– Courier & Press