The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending flexibilities to allow free meals to continue to be available to all children throughout the entire 2020-2021 school year. The move is part of USDA’s commitment to ensuring all children across America have access to nutritious food as the nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Since school began on September 8, School District Five has been able to offer free meals to all students in-person and through curbside pick-up for virtual students,” said School District Five Director of Nutrition Todd Bedenbaugh. “This waiver extension will allow us to continue feeding all of our students’ nutritious breakfasts and lunches for the remainder of the school year whether they are in our school cafeterias or are learning virtually. I am extremely proud of my staff for their efforts during this time and being flexible to make sure all of our students are fed.”
USDA previously extended child nutrition waivers through December 2020 based upon available funding at the time. The flexibilities extended will allow schools and other local program operators to continue to leverage the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) to provide no-cost meals to all children through June 30, 2021.
As students in School District Five continue to transition to a 4-day in-person instructional model in phases by grade level, meals will still be offered to in-person students on Wednesday. FIVE students will also continue to receive their meals on Wednesday.
School Meal Sites
The district will serve 5-day meal supplies at three school sites. These locations are designed for FIVE student meal pick-up and will serve five-days worth of breakfast and lunch items to students age 18 and under. Hybrid students are encouraged to visit bus delivery sites, which will serve three-day meal portions but can also visit school sites if needed.
• Chapin High School (bus loop) – 11 am-12:30 pm
• Dutch Fork High School (bus loop) – 11 am-12:30 pm
• Irmo High School (bus loop) – 11 am – 12:30 pm
Bus Meal Delivery Sites
Several bus delivery locations will be offered district-wide. These sites are designed for Hybrid students and will serve 3-day meal supplies only. Times and locations are subject to change. See meal locations at http://bit.ly/D5meals
*All meal pick up for virtual days and distance learning days will occur on Wednesdays. FIVE and hybrid students can receive meals at either bus or school locations. Note: Five-day food supplies will only be available at school locations (CHS, DFHS, and IHS). Three-day meal supplies will be provided at bus delivery locations, and staff will check rosters for students.
Parents also can continue to load money to their student’s online account to pay for additional ala carte items, beyond the free meal. To make a payment online please register your student/students at K12PaymentCenter.com. Please call the Department of Student Nutrition with any questions or concerns at 803-476-8153 or 803-476-8154.
