The extension of free meals to people under 18 in the Santa Clarita Valley available during the spring and summer are set to resume on Sept. 3 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) extended a program to provide free meals for students which are provided locally by the Santa Clarita Valley School Food Services Agency, known as School Day Café.

Any student under 18, regardless of family income requirements, are eligible to receive a breakfast and lunch each during each weekday, according to the agency.

Many students and families rely on daily access to school breakfast and lunches during the school week, something that remote distance learning due to the coronavirus pandemic has been made harder to access. 

“Students can’t learn when they’re hungry,” said Robert Luis, director SCV School Food Services Agency. “A lot of our families right now need the food and the nourishment. We provide fruits and vegetables, protein, bread and dairy. Our meals meet all the requirements for healthy Americans.”

The William S. Hart School District received permission from the California Department of Education to resume the offering of free grab and go meals, Monday through Friday starting Sept. 3.  Meals are provided by the USDA and the program serves 38 schools around the Santa Clarita Valley.

Since the onset of the pandemic, Luis reports receiving up to four times as many families using the service: “We are seeing parents we have never seen before. Some have unfortunately been laid off or had hours cut and need help because of the pandemic.”

Students 18 years of age or younger can receive a bagged or boxed breakfast and lunch in a drive-thru fashion at any of the elementary or high schools in SCV. Additionally, the meal site does not have to be the student’s home school. Parents are allowed to come without children present and request the number of meals needed for their children. No proof of income, application or a student ID is needed

For a full list of locations visit here.

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