By ROBERT A. DEFRANK

Times Leader Staff Writer

BELMONT — Union Local School District is expanding its food service program with all students receiving breakfast and lunch for free.

This includes meals served at school and those available for remote learning days served at home for the entire week.

Union Local Food Service Director Kathy Fowkes said the U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing additional funding that is expected to last through Dec. 31 or until funds run out.

“All children in our area are welcome to participate through 18 years of age. Parents will be notified of any changes that may occur,” Fowkes said. “We can actually provide meals for anybody aged 1 to 18 under this program. … Before, it was just students within the district and it was based on their income eligibility because it was through the National School Lunch Program. This way, nobody has to identify income. All people are free as far as the students go, and if they have any preschoolers at home they can also request meals (for them).

“It’s based on the same thing a lot of communities do in the summertime when they do the summer feeding program when kids are out of school,” she said.

Fowkes said the lasting economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on families motivated this expansion.

“They extended this program due to this COVID impact on families, and even if you didn’t qualify for free or reduced, it may still have an impact on the job or hours,” she said. “It’s a community outreach for everyone in the district.”

She said the district usually provides 600 meals daily.

“We could possibly see more than 1,000 meals a day for serving easily,” she said.

“I’m really hoping this will make a big increase as far as meals served,” she said. “Everyone’s eligible whether they’re coming to school or doing the remote (learning) online. … They can have meals provided for all days of the week.”

Fowkes added that several orders have been placed, and she is receiving calls and emails about the program.

Union Local began the school year using a hybrid model combining in-person attendance and online learning. Fowkes, who is also transportation director, said the school district adjusted well to preparing meals and meeting different transportation needs during the pandemic. She said she is confident the district will have no difficulties when transitioning to full in-person attendance.

To place to-go orders for the week, parents and guardians are asked to contact their child’s building office by 9 a.m. Mondays or by emailing kfowkes@ulschools.com. All orders must include a contact phone number. Pick-up time for all to-go meals will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Mondays only. Pick-up locations will be at the elementary schooll bus ramp and the high school commons doors.

Families are still encouraged to complete their free/reduced meal application on the school website because as of Jan. 1, the district will revert back to regular priced meals.

Anyone with questions should call Fowkes at 740-782-1181, ext. 3934.