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Escambia (AL) Schools Cancel Free Meals For Kids In Response To Governor’s Stay-At-Home Order
April 4, 2020
The Escambia County (AL) School System reacted to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s stay-at home order by canceling free meals for kids.
The district began offering free meals on March 30 to ages 18 and under at school across the county.
“Food distributions have been suspended due to the stay at home order by Governor Ivey,” was posted with no further explanation on the district’s Facebook page.
It was not clear what portion of the governor’s order led to the decision — Ivey’s order states that persons can leave home to obtain food, government-funded services or benefits, and it’s a critical function for schools to prepare meals for eligible students.
Comments
13 Responses to “Escambia (AL) Schools Cancel Free Meals For Kids In Response To Governor’s Stay-At-Home Order”
In my neighborhood (Baldwin County) the kids are riding around on golf carts, motor bikes and four wheelers all day long. None of them goes hungry that I can observe.
The Governors order allows for this still. Section J of Governor Iveys order says the following is allowed. Education operations, including educators supporting public and private K-12 schools, colleges and universities or other educational institutions, for purposes of facilitating distance learning and education continuity plans approved by the State Superintendent of Education, performing critical research or other essential functions, including public schools preparing and transporting distance-learning materials and meals to eligible students and colleges providing lodging for students.
Makes no sense. You can go pickup food at a restaurant and even the governor encouraged this, but a kid that may only get these meals can’t.
I would be curious to know if this was a local decision or one that was handed down from the State Board of Education. Are there any other school districts still feeding.
How hurtful to the children. I am in santa Rosa county and the food buses run every day M-F and feed the kids. On Friday they get enough meals to get thru the week end too…This is a much needed service for most of these kids. For some the only real meal they get is at their schools free lunch program. I am sure Alabama is in the same boat.
Escambia Florida Schools are distributing meals. Food service workers are working limited hours at certain locations. It is a vital service for our students. Other school employees are working from home. The meals are for 18 and younger. The young person must be present to receive food. Here is a link to the information.
http://ecsd-fl.schoolloop.com/pf4/cms2/news_themed_display?id=1585909409344
In Response to
Willis on April 4th, 2020 8:49 am
Come on now.
I’m of the opinion there were children much in need of this.
Maybe I’m wrong and there wasn’t much participation
Willis, you are not wrong. I was there with my grandchildren on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Wednesday even though they projected 50 additional children coming in they still almost ran out of food. Pick up is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. We were there at 12:20 and the kids got one meal instead of four because they had to stretch the rest making sure all the kids could get something which I am grateful for. This program is very, very needed.
This is an essential need some one has mis interpreted the ruling wrong.
Ernest Ward School middle school amd bratt elementary school is still giving out and century library.
What idiocy. The governor is just trying to save money. Follow Pensacola’s lead.
Please continue to follow up on this. We want answers. The lack of one by the Superintendent shows a lack of leadership.
Come on now.
I’m of the opinion there were children much in need of this.
Maybe I’m wrong and there wasn’t much participation.
Don’t stop doing this program.
The families of workers without work and living on lower wages paycheck to paycheck will have few resources to obtain food. Read this in a well-written paper from John Hopkins COVID webpage. It will create more problems than solve.
Not a time to debate a program like this. It’s a desperately needed program.
In response to the cancellation of free meals for kids in Escambia county Alabama. I have two children that have greatly benefited from this amazing program. We have been to the Flomaton Elementary School pickup on three occasions. It has been seamless. PPE (gloves and mask) was worn by the only gentleman we were remotely close to. You don’t get out of your car. It seems to me like stopping food distribution for children would be the last decision made by the Escambia Alabama School district. We can leave home to obtain food or for government sponsored services. Why was this decision made?
Why stop this service? Come on now, the kids need this service.