Wake schools slated to open Aug. 3, but that is not definite
Andrew Brown Jr., chair of the Northern Community Food Security Team, has announced that the Northern Regional Center at 350 East Holding Avenue will continue serving as a weekday food drive-by distribution site until Friday, July 31. Until then, parents and caretakers of students ages 18 and younger can continue to pick up free, nutritious meals (lunch and breakfast) Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. as part of the Wake County Public School System Summer Nutrition Program. Distributed curbside at the regional center, the food is placed on a table to allow self-loading to minimize concerns related to the spread of COVID-19.
Becky Bryan, the administrator for Child Nutrition Services in the school system, has told Brown the school system is planning to open schools on Aug. 3 for year-round and modified calendar schools.
She added that it is possible school will not open as scheduled. “. . . it is a wait and see what the Governor decides.”
She also added that her staff need time off. “Most of our folks are 10-month employees and don’t typically work throughout the summer and we have struggled a little to obtain work commitments.”
After hearing from Bryan, Brown said, “Based on her email, the NCFST will step in and continue assistance to fill in any gaps in children food security.”
NCFST’s Weekend Meals Program is offered on Fridays at the regional center on East Holding Avenue from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (rain or shine). The initiative invites families to pick up enough food to sustain them through the weekend. Thanks to the NCFST’s network of partners, a variety of foods are available at no cost, including dairy, poultry, fruits, vegetables and shelf staples (peanut butter, pasta, oatmeal, cereal, canned goods and nuts).
“Our efforts would not be possible without the support we receive from our incredible partners,” said Brown. “These partners include Farmer’s Foodshare, Backpack Buddies, Bread of Life Ministries, Tri-Area Ministries, Fresh Point Produce, and Inter-Faith Food Shuttle.”
NCFST also picks up food from Raleigh each week to deliver to Hope House on North Allen Road so they can distribute the food during their curb-side meals Monday through Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m. Some of the items include apples, oranges, bananas, eggs and bread.
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