SPRINGFIELD — A pilot program offering evening hours for free meal sites at schools throughout the city will begin on July 30.
Since schools closed in March, the Springfield Public Schools and Sodexo have teamed up to offer free meals to children throughout the year and now into the summer months.
“From the first day of school closure, Sodexo has been a committed partner in making sure our families do not go without during this time,” said Superintendent of Schools Daniel Warwick.
By June, the program had served 1 million meals at 17 schools.
Now the school and its food service provider are launching a trial program at Chestnut, Milton Bradley, Rebecca Johnson and Talmadge schools which will make meals available at the traditional 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. time period as well as a new 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. time slot. The change is in response to feedback from working families who could not access the meal sites during the earlier time period.
“It’s our hope that this program will add a layer of greater convenience to families that helps ease any burdens they may be experiencing,” Warwick said.
Identification is not required to receive meals, and children do not need to be from Springfield, live in Springfield, or attend Springfield schools to participate. Adults may pick meals up on behalf of a child. The meals provided include breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack for multiple days. Thursday distributions include meals for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Monday distributions will include meals for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
For further information about free meals while schools are closed, text “Springfield” to 82257.
Menus for the free meal service are available at www.homegrownspringfield.com/menus.
Related content:
- Springfield schools, Sodexo mark distribution of 1 million free meals
- Springfield adding meal sites, dinner to free meal distribution; drive-through locations available
- Coronavirus: Holyoke schools add site, set new time for meal program