Volunteers joined ACPS staff in distributing meals to students while schools were closed during the Thanksgiving break. The Office of School Nutrition Services received requests for meals for 2,000 students for this week; all children who live in Alexandria between the ages of two and 18 were eligible for the meal service. ACPS provided 10,000 meals during the week of Nov. 22-26, with two distribution dates to ensure students who signed up had breakfast and lunch every day.
More than 82 volunteers helped with the meals distribution. To get the meals to 700 families, ACPS mobilized city partners, including Senior Services of Alexandria and Volunteer Alexandria.
Director of School Nutrition Services Cynthia Hormel said, “This effort demonstrated the existing need in the community as well as the giving spirit of fellow residents willing to lend a helping hand. Many families are still dealing with food insecurity in their homes at this time. It was great to see so many people take the time to help one another.”