Hello. This is an automated message from Aaron Greene. I am calling tonight with an update on school meals. We are happy to inform you that the USDA has approved continued funding for free meals for children in Polk County through December 31 of this year. This means that all children 18 years of age and under in Polk County may receive free breakfast and lunch, the same as last spring. This program is for any child in any household in Polk County regardless of how or where they are attending school, or their poverty status.
Beginning tomorrow all breakfast and lunch meals will be free for students learning in person at our schools. They can get their meals at no cost each day they attend.
Starting next week on Tuesday, September 8, we will begin meal pickup for any children who are not in school. This includes remote learners, Wolverine Academy, or younger children not yet of school age. We will prepare pre-packaged meals, a breakfast and lunch for each day, that can be picked up from the elementary school in your community.
To make this work efficiently for all, we would like to know how many people are interested in getting these free meals for their children, and how best to get the meals to our families. We have authored a survey we would like for you to complete to help us figure out the best way to get meals out to you.
If you are interested, you can access the survey at www.polkschools.org or click the link below: (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8k_Pbm64prd5BCsG6-pqH9pfUkVbPnBsZ59QpHNYNL8htsA/viewform.
It is a short survey and simply asks if you are interested in receiving free meals, and which days and times would be most convenient for you to pick them up. Once we have an idea of your preferences we can set up our distribution program. We ask that you complete this survey as quickly as possible if you are interested.
Again, we are excited that we will be able to feed all children in Polk County at no cost. Please contact Child Nutrition Director Jennifer Peeler at 894-3051 with any questions. Thank you, and have a good evening.
