The Poplar Bluff R-I School District expanded its efforts Wednesday to provide area students with free meals over summer.
Dixie Harden, food service director, said the day was slower than expected.
“I think that was because it was raining on and off,” she said.
Breakfast and lunch will be available 11 a.m. to noon weekdays at seven locations around Poplar Bluff to anybody under 18 years-old. Those enrolled in summer school will receive meals during the day.
There is no paperwork or ID required to pick up meals and weekend meals will also be available on Fridays.
The district added an additional pickup location this year: the R.W. Huntington Municipal Swimming Pool.
“That’s another one of those south and east portions of the community that we’re trying to service,” said Dr. Scott Dill, superintendent.
When the district provided meals last year, which also included dinner through a Department of Health and Senior Services program, it provided an average of 7,000 meals daily to students in the community, Harden said.
She said the district sent home information with students at the end of the school year, but expects more participation as the program goes along and more people know about it.
The goal of the program, Dill said, is to ensure every student has access to meals while out of school. During the school year, the district provides free and reduced meals to students who sign up for it and provided free meals to all students last school year.
According to the district report card by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 73.5% of Poplar Bluff’s students are eligible for free and reduced lunch compared to 49.9% for the state.
“That community outreach has been very impactful in the community,” he said. “We know food scarcity is a problem for some of our families.”
Dill said the district isn’t concerned whether or not those coming for meals attend its schools.
“Whether those kids are in school or out of school, whether they live in Poplar Bluff or they’re just visiting, it’s important to me we do everything within our power to help kids,” he said. “Providing those meals throughout the summer ensures that our kids come back to us better prepared to have a successful school experience.”
The locations include:
• Bread Shed, 203 North D Street (Doors at Loading Dock)
• Wheatley School, 830 Garfield Street (Back Entrance)
• North Side Nutrition Center, 1450 Garfield Street (Parking Lot or Side Entrance)
• Oak View Apartments, 741 East Outer Road (Parking Lot)
• 3025 Nellie Sue Circle (Parking Lot)
• Midland Church, 110 West Victor Street (Parking Lot)
• R. W. Huntington Municipal Swimming Pool, 430 E. Outer Road (Parking lot).