In the wake of Henry County Schools closing due to COVID-19, county schools and other organizations are stepping up to ensure that no child goes hungry.

  With the assistance from school nutrition departments and local community partners, Henry County Schools has been offering a curbside meal service program to students in the county during the mandatory closure period.

  Families of children that attend Henry County Schools can drive through one of the following locations to pick up meals between the hours of 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday, in the parking lot or bus lane of Locust Grove Elementary, Hampton Middle, McDonough Middle, Stockbridge Middle, Oakland Elementary and Wesley Lakes Elementary. Lunch will be provided for that day as well as breakfast for the following day. Individuals will remain in their cars and meals will be distributed to families based on the number of meals needed.

  On Monday, March 23, Henry County Schools expanded their meal services to include Oakland Elementary and Wesley Lakes Elementary.

  As of Friday, March 24, Henry County Schools has provided a significant number of meals to children within the school system. 

  “We have served breakfast and lunch to approximately 13,463 students in the county for a total meal distribution of 26,926 to HCS students,” said John Hardin, Executive Director of Communications & Public Relations for Henry County Schools. 

  The number of students provided meals has increased since the program began on March 18, with the most students provided meals on March 26. 

  “We have served a total of 1,299 students on the first day of meal service, Wednesday, March 18 at four sites,” said Hardin. “The highest number of students served was 2,261 on Thursday, March 26.”

  For those that do not have transportation to the listed distribution locations, meal transportation/delivery services are available through partnering organizations.

  Operation Lunchbox, a local nonprofit organization, has a delivery service in place for families that do not have transportation. The program will continue to feed the children currently in their program and others, if necessary.

  “We are partnering with the Board of Education to provide groceries to all the families we currently feed and more if need be,” said Dave Newman, Operation Lunchbox CEO. “We are not going to stop feeding these kids that are hungry because of the coronavirus.”

  The program says that they are prepared to feed as many children as needed, pending any significant decrease in grocery availability.

  “The only impact we think we could take is scarcity of groceries,” said Newman.

  Global Impact Christian Ministries is offering transportation to school locations, food for families and additional resources.

  Many other organizations are offering food pantry services to the public as well.

  Ambassadors for Christ Ministries is operating a food pantry on Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. It is staged like a grocery store and clients may select the items of their choice. ID must be shown.  No deliveries will be offered and no appointment or referral forms are required. The church is located at 125 Rock Quarry Road in Stockbridge. Call 470-771-3663 for more information.

  Bethel UMC is hosting a food co-op, providing fresh fruits and vegetables, canned goods and more on Monday and Thursday, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The church is located at 245 Fairview Road in Stockbridge. Visitors are asked to call in advance at 770-474-2570.

  United in Faith in Christian Ministry offers free groceries, clothing, paper goods, fresh fruits and additional items. They are located at 161 Racetrack Road in McDonough. For more information, call 678-272-8841.

   To make monetary donations to Operation Lunchbox, visit https://e.givesmart.com/events/h02/. To volunteer or donate groceries, contact Dave Newman at 678-333-4900 or dave@operationlunchbox.org.

  For a complete list of partnering organizations and their services, visit https://schoolwires.henry. k12.ga.us/Page/130027.