Many Humboldt County Schools Continue Meal Distribution during Spring Break

Getting lunch from the bus [photo submitted]

Although many Humboldt County schools continue to be closed to normal on-site operations, and many have indicated that they will continue distance learning for the remainder of the school year, the work of administrators, teachers and staff continues to meet student and community needs. Our districts are continuing to pull together to deliver meals and supplies to students from one end of the county to the other.

“Our districts continue to improve and expand on services for students and families by utilizing increased regulation flexibility from state and federal protocol,” Humboldt County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Chris Hartley states. “This is helping them to deliver food while maintaining appropriate social distancing practices.”

Spring break is scheduled for several of our districts next week, but many will continue to distribute meals during this time of need.

McKinleyville Union School District Superintendent, Heidi Moore-Guynup says, “During difficult and stressful times, it is more important than ever for schools to be the center of our communities. Some may say we are closed but we continue to serve our students and families in critical ways. By being able to offer essential services such as daily breakfast and lunch, under the leadership of MUSD Food Services Director, Carson Daly and his tremendous staff, as well as our ability to offer engaged and dynamic daily instruction for our students, we are doing what we can to bring comfort and peace.”

Meals are provided for any child, 18 years and younger, regardless of free or reduced eligibility. In addition, many districts are collaborating to provide meals to those students in the community where they live, even if they attend school outside their districts of residence.

Many sites are also catering their efforts to meet the needs of their particular families and community, such as collaborating with local family resource centers, churches, and tribes to support distribution. In many cases, this is also allowing staff to check in with students and families in regards to their wellness and determine if further supports are needed.

“We have a strong partnership with our McKinleyville Family Resource Center who partners with us to bring vital food to our families who are most in need each weekend through our Backpacks for Kids Program,” added Moore-Guynup. “Between both efforts, our families who are most in need don’t have to worry about hunger during the unsettling time in our history.” 

For a complete list of all district meal times and distribution locations, including those continuing to offer service during spring break, please visit our website: https://hcoe.org/covid-19-2/school-meal-times-and-locations/.

Please note many districts continue to modify their distribution efforts in order to meet the greatest needs of the community and as such, this page will continue to be updated to reflect any changes.