By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays USD 489 food service program has served 21,000 breakfasts and lunches to local children since schools were shut down in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.
Jessica Younker, USD 489 Nutrition Services director, gave a report on the grab-and-go meal program during the school board meeting Monday night.
The school board met via Zoom because of social distancing requirements.
The district is averaging 1,200 to 1,500 meals per day between its three distribution locations — Hays High School, Hays Middle School and Lincoln Elementary School.
The program had to temporarily shutdown last week after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.
Younker thanked the community organizations as well as local restaurants that offered free or reduced-price meals for children last week.
The district is continuing to practice precautions against spread of COVID-19.
"Obviously, employee safety is our No. 1 priority," Younker said.
Employees and volunteers are wearing masks and staying 6 feet apart whenever possible, Younker said. The district takes the temperature of staff when they report to work and asks them to verify they are not feeling ill.
The kitchen staff is doing some shift work with some workers doing prep work in the afternoons to reduce the number of people in kitchens at one time, Younker said.
Deliveries to the kitchens have also been no contact.
"We are doing some extra disinfecting procedures in our kitchens," Younker said. "We are doing everything we can to keep people safe but still make sure we get the kids fed."
Summer Lunch Program
The district had planned to serve its meals for its Summer Lunch Program at the Hays Public Library.
However, as the date to launch that program comes closer, Younker said it looks less likely meals will be served at the library.
The district will have free summer lunches, but what that will look like has not been determined. Continuation of the grab-and-go meals is an option.
Board members thanked both the food service workers and the community for their help in feeding the children of the community.
"You would not know it, but this is a lot more work than normal school, and we are doing it with less people," Younker said. "We have had a lot of challenges, but I really proud of [the staff]."
Principals, teachers and board members have also volunteered to serve meals, and Younker thanked all of the volunteers.
