From BleckleyProgress.com

Community News
School district moves to drive-through meal distribution during coronavirus shutdown.
By Dave Whitaker
Mar 20, 2020, 14:21

The Bleckley County School District announced changes to its meal plan for students during the COVID-19 shutdown. Starting Monday, meal distribution will be drive-through only all schools. In a release, Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith gave several reasons why the change was made from having a single pickup site at Bleckley Middle School and distribution by bus to this drive-through only method.

Food safety issues from delivering hot meals on a bus, the risks of carrying meals to sites to allow for pickup. Parents and students at the sites would make social distancing difficult. COVID-19 cases in surrounding counties which heightened concern for staff who cannot social distance on a bus. Plus, he believes the change would allow them to feed as long as needed.

Meals will be distributed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from noon to 1:30 pm. The district is asking (but not requiring) students to pick up meals at sites according to the first letter of the mother’s last name. The schedule is as follows.

Students will receive two breakfasts and two lunches on Mondays and Wednesdays, one breakfast and one lunch on Fridays.


According to the release, the following rules must be observed to comply with state and federal law.

1. Only drive-through, no walk-ups allowed.
2. Student MUST be present in vehicles to receive meals.
3. Any child age 0-18 may get a meal, regardless of where they attend school (even home-school).
4. Students may not consume meals at any site.
5. Vehicles may only enter one site per day

Smith had praise for everyone who has helped during what’s been an unusual time for schools everywhere saying “We appreciate our dedicated nutrition staff, bus drivers (both employees and coaches), and the numerous volunteers within our staff who have made meal access possible for our students.

Our teachers, administrators, and staff have done a tremendous job in engaging and connecting with our students during this unprecedented time. I am so proud of the love and care our employees show to our students and each other. We are truly blessed to be part of this extraordinary Royal Family.”


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