All three public school districts are providing free lunches to students through their free and reduced lunch programs.
Newton Municipal Child Nutrition Program director Pamela Cox said the lunches provided are similar to those they provide in the summertime. The lunch provides an entrée, side item, fruit and dessert. In addition to that, they are providing breakfast consisting of cereal, toaster pastry, juice and milk.
“We are providing lunches for children 0 to 18 for free,” Cox said. “This is very similar to what we do in the summertime. We will supply them with either a to-go plate or a sack lunch depending on what the entrée is. Today (Monday) we had a chicken sandwich. We just did it as a sack lunch, but on Wednesday, we will have meatloaf as our lunch entrée, so that will be served on a to-go plate.”
Beginning on Monday, Newton Municipal Schools began running a bus route to allow students without a means of transportation to receive a school lunch.
“All they have to do is to get to their normal bus stop,” Cox said. “I’ve worked with David Irby, our transportation director and we have combined the routes so that we only have to use three buses to deliver.
“I have the full support of our superintendent and our school board, and they are excited that we are able to serve our students who live on our bus routes.”
Currently, those that live within walking distance or can get transportation to the Newton High School and Newton Elementary School cafeterias can receive lunches each weekday. The bus routes are intended to help those students who live too far from school to walk and don’t have other transportation to come to school.
Two buses are running normal routes and distributing at typical bus stops. Another bus is serving students with special needs and is going door-to-door, Cox said.
Adults can also purchase lunch for $4. Cox said they will continue to serve lunch as long as they are allowed to do so or until they go back to school.
Currently, Gov. Tate Reeves closed all public schools until April 17. NMSD has also cancelled all activities and functions through April 30.
“We know that we are experiencing a new and trying situation. However, if we work together and stay focused, this too shall pass,” Superintendent Glenda Nickson said. “It is my hope that you and your families are taking the necessary precautions to stay safe.”
Newton County School District
While Newton County Schools are also closed through April 17, Superintendent J.O. Amis issued a statement stating that they remain committed to serve the community in this time of need.
Grab-and-go meal service is held daily from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on the Newton County High School campus with free meals for 18 and under (children must be present). Lunches must be taken home to eat.
A resource packet for each student, grades PreK-12, will be available for pick-up with a
“Grab and Go” distribution on the Newton County Elementary School campus and Newton
County Middle and High School campus from 4-6 p.m. each Tuesday, beginning
Tuesday, March 24.
Amis also said the following: “To the Class of 2020, we are proud of you. Your leadership this year has made Newton County proud; however, these are uncertain times, but one thing remains, we are #CougarStrong. We will battle this together and come out of it with resilience and perseverance.
“To the faculty, staff, and families of Newton County Schools, thank you for your understanding and patience as we navigate these waters of uncertainty. Our administrators will continue to collaborate and keep you informed, as we have answers in the next days.”
Union Public School District
UPSD is still serving lunch and a breakfast snack for the next day from 10:30 a.m.-noon in front of UHS. Meals can also be picked up from one of five delivery locations: North Street Apartments and County Line Baptist at 10:30 a.m.; Evans Tabernacle at 11 a.m.; Rosehill Baptist at 11:15 a.m.; Neshoba Baptist Church at 11:30 a.m.
Meals are free to ALL children ages 0-18, even if they aren’t UPSD students, and adult meals are available for $3.50. Child must be present to receive meal.
“UPSD’s food services team came to work Monday morning with one goal: feed the children. They worked tirelessly all week, and by this afternoon they’d served 1,065 meals over four days. We are grateful not only for what they did this week, but for what they’ll continue to do in the weeks ahead,” the district stated in a social media post.
