Pirate News: Hart distributes 9,800 meals in a half hour.

Pirate News: Hart distributes 9,800 meals in a half hour.

Pirate News is a service of Hart Public Schools in cooperation with Oceana County Press

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART — Hart Public Schools distributed 9,800 meals — an entire week’s worth of food per student — Wednesday, March 25, amid the state-wide school closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A group of teachers, administrators and food service personnel distributed the meals to a passing line of cars in a half hour. The plan is to do the meal distribution every Wednesday during the school closure, said Director of Dining Services Caryn Elam.

A total of 700 bags containing seven breakfasts and seven lunches and 700 gallons of milk were handed out, Elam said. “Six food service employees and myself prepped the meals Monday and Tuesday. Mrs. (Andrea) Degen, the elementary principal, recruited her teachers as volunteers, and Mr. (Brandon) Bruce and Mr. (Kevin) Ackley, the high and middle school principals, helped.”

Cars lined up before noon near the high school and drove through the round-about to Spitler Elementary School. Students and parents in the cars were greeted with friendly staff who loaded the bags of food and gallons of milk into their vehicles.

The cars entered the school campus from 72nd Avenue, and the procession of thankful motorists smoothly moved down the line to pick up meals.

Hart police officers were on hand to direct traffic.

“Any child, from any school district, age 18 and under, is eligible for these meals,” states the school district’s Facebook page. “Children do not have to be present — one person may pick up meals for any children in the household. We are no longer offering delivery. Parents can make arrangements with family or friends to pick up meals on their behalf.”

If you have any questions, contact the food service deptartment at 231-873-6242.

This story is copyrighted © 2020, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.