Summer feeding program dates announced

WINSTON COUNTY         -  As another school year comes to a close, summer feeding programs across Winston County are beginning, but with several changes this year.

Haleyville City Schools

Haleyville City Schools will begin their Haleyville Eats program Wednesday, June 1. There will be two programs provided this summer, one for June, the other with major changes for July, noted Emma Anne Hallman, director of the Child Nutrition Program for HCS.
“This was a goal of ours, to offer a summer feeding program to our community pre-COVID, and COVID just helped launch it into play,” Hallman said. “It’s something we want to continue because we have seen the benefits of being able to offer a summer feeding program to our community.”
The goal is not just to provide the free food to students involved in the HCS summer enrichment programs (ages 18 and under), but also to youth throughout the community, Hallman explained.
Instead of having the feeding programs available at schools across the Haleyville campus, the feeding programs for both June and July will be available only at the high school, Hallman pointed out.
During the month of June, bulk meal pick ups will be every Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the high school cafeteria, Hallman stated.
“COVID waivers have allowed us  to be able to serve meals in bulk where a parent can get a week’s worth of food for the child ages 18 and under at one time,” Hallman explained. “They don’t have to eat on site. They can take those back to their homes and consume as needed.”
Due to the state’s expiration of those waivers June 30, HCS has split their feeding program this summer into two components.
In June, curbside bulk meals will be provided for students ages 18 and under, enough for five days worth of breakfasts and five days worth of lunch each week through that month, school officials said.  These foods, which will be both perishable and non-perishable will include dry cereal, fresh fruits and  vegetables, gallons of milk, canned goods, etc.
“We have Alabama-grown produce lined up. The first week, they will receive a bag of peaches from Durbin Farms from Chilton County,” Hallman stated.
Also, a farmer from Fayette will be bringing in fresh packs of ground beef for distribution. “It’s really like grocery shopping,” added Hallman. “Basically, you have a (drive-up) grocery store.”
Hallman stressed this free food giveaway does not have to be solely for HCS students ages 18 and under, but anyone in the area meeting that age requirement.
“They don’t have to be associated with Haleyville City Schools,” Hallman stated. “It’s a national program. They want to make sure food is in  the hands of any child ages 18 and under.”
Students who will be on campuses during summer remediation programs and camps  will have these bulk meals delivered to them, according to Hallman.
“We are also going to be taking care of our students who are on campus for learning purposes and athletics,” said Hallman. “If they are at the elementary or middle school, we are taking that food to them.”
The June program does vary from last year, where enough food was given in the summer for seven breakfasts and seven lunches, Hallman noted.
“The amount of food is decreasing by a little bit,” she said.
 
July feeding programs totally different

After the waivers expire June 30, the July feeding program will look totally different, Hallman reminded.
“We’ve got to go back to 2019 (pre-COVID) feeding times,” she said.
From July 1-22, daily hot meals must be consumed on site and only at the HHS cafeteria, with breakfast served from 7:30 -9:30 a.m. and lunch served Monday through Thursday from  10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
This free program will also be open to the public for youth ages 18 and under. Food is only for those meeting this age category, not parents, guardians or family members, school officials stressed.
Hallman stressed patience among those coming to pick up the meals in June and to eat on the high school campus in July, due to the large attendance expected.
“It’s first come, first served,” Hallman stated.
Last year, people would line up early before the meal giveaways began, officials said.
“It also does not matter what your financial status is.  This is open to anyone,” Hallman said.

Winston County Schools

Bart Shannon, supervisor of the Child Nutrition Program for Winston County Schools, noted the county school system will only offer the feeding program during June.
The first  pickup will be May 31, continuing each Tuesday of the month from 4 - 5:30 p.m. on the campus of each school, Shannon explained.
“Each student has already received a letter, and parents have confirmed with us for those who want to pick up,” Shannon said.
Each week will include a grab-and-go bag that will contain five breakfasts and five lunches, Shannon explained.
Youth ages 18 and under, whether or not enrolled at Winston County Schools, are eligible to participate, according to Shannon.
Although the numbers have been gathered, it is not too late  to take additional participates, but those individuals must contact the school where they attend to make sure the proper information is received and that they are placed on the list for the drive-through pickups, Shannon stated.

Free and reduced lunch applications to be filled out for new school year

“While we have fed students for free the past two years, eligibility will change in the fall,” said Shannon.
Shannon said that when school begins for students Aug. 10, all students will need to complete an application for a free or reduced priced lunch, he noted.  This will also be true for Haleyville City Schools.
“People think those lunch applications only affect free lunches.  In reality, they have an impact on funding for our district,” Shannon continued.
Those needing to complete these applications can contact the central office at (205) 489-5018 or go online to www.winstonk12.org and click on free and reduced lunch application, he said.
“The goal between Haleyville City and Winston County schools is that, regardless of what regulations  we’re falling under, we are going to make sure our students have a source of food,” Hallman pointed out.
“For the past two years, we have fed them  in the classroom. We have fed them in the cafeteria.  We have fed them curbside. We have fed them for virtual learning days,” Hallman continued.  “We always want to make sure our students have a meal to eat and make sure they are always fueled for success and learning.”