Coronavirus closes typical meal programs: Keeping children fed this summer isn’t easy

HARLEM VALLEY  — As school emergency meal programs wind down for the summer, efforts are underway to be certain that youngsters continue to receive the nutrition they need. It’s especially tough this year, as many of the programs that typically help feed children through the summer months — at day camp, libraries, Town Halls, community centers, etc. — have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Because many summer meal programs are new, there is some backlog in certain areas, and some changes may be forthcoming, but the following information was available as of press time on Tuesday, July 7.  

Webutuck

Webutuck School District Business Administrator Robert Farrier wrote on the school’s website, “If you would like to receive food through the North East Community Center’s (NECC) Summer Food program, please email parent/guardian name, address, phone number and number of students you would like to receive meals to the following email address: summerfood@neccmillerton.org. The North East Community Center will communicate with you to provide their food delivery instructions.” 

NECC is located in the village of Millerton.

The Webutuck Central School District serves students who live in both the towns of Amenia and North East, and their surrounding communities.

NECC Director Christine Sergent said the details of the program are in development but notes that volunteer drivers using their own vehicles will be needed, potentially between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday.  Sign up through the email address above.

Pine Plains

Any child up to the age of 18 will receive breakfast and lunch for five days each week. They need not be students. 

Pick-up is set for the Stissing Mountain Junior/Senior High School from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 

Registration is helpful so food service personnel know the number of meals to prepare, but it is not required. To register or for questions, write to schoolmeals@ppcsd.org.

Millbrook

Pick-up for children 18 and under will be at Millbrook Middle School, Tuesday and Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  

Lunch and breakfast for seven days a week will be provided. 

For more information, call 845-677-4200, ext. 1137, text summer meals to 97779  or email  hollyheady@millbrookcsd.org.

 

 To view a list of food pantry resources in the Tri-State Region, click here.

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