The Gilmer County School System's meal program continues to thrive over the summer as youth are receiving much-needed nutrition.
Patricia Partin is the GCSS’s director of nutrition, and she provided an update on the program at last Monday’s board of education work session. Meal boxes contain seven breakfasts and seven lunches, and they have been provided at two locations on Thursdays thus far in June.
At Clear Creek Elementary School, Partin noted that participation has lagged behind what they have experienced at the Larry Walker Education Center.
“I’m not sure if it’s lack of visibility at CCES, or the need isn’t as great there or maybe they’re traveling across town (to LWEC),” Partin said. “The LWEC is a totally different story. Through two weeks, we’re already up to 14,378 total meals that we’ve distributed. We’re reaching more families.”
Partin was delighted to see participation outpace initial estimates.
“Before the summer, we had no clue (as to how much food to order),” Partin said. “We threw a big number out there, and I was looking for a plastic bag to breathe into thinking, ‘I probably ordered too much.’ Then after the first week, I had to order more food.
“When you get on Facebook, you read comments like ‘that was nice’ or ‘this is good for the community.’ That’s positive stuff we love to hear, and you don’t always hear the good. It’s good to see all the families coming through and being able to help.”
In previous summers, breakfast and lunch were distributed Monday through Thursday over six weeks. On Thursdays, meals were doubled to cover Friday. That required a substantial commitment from a dedicated group of volunteers. While the program now only offers meals on Thursdays, they have faced the same hurdles.
“It’s a challenge to get enough volunteers for one day,” Partin said. “It has been a good thing that we’ve moved to this (new method). We’re now providing more meals (per week at 14 compared to 10 in years past), but we’re doing it on fewer days, so we don’t have to keep as many people tied up over the summer.”
Families do not have to register to receive meal boxes. They also do not have to be residents of Gilmer County. The only stipulation is a parent or guardian must pick up the meal box on behalf of the child.
“I commend you and your volunteers because it’s a great program,” superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley said to Partin. “A lot of people are struggling right now, and I’m glad we’re in position to help them.”
Meal boxes will be available at CCES and LWEC June 25 and July 9, 16 and 23 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.