By Mike Kinney
The coronavirus shutdown won’t stop these dedicated West Contra Costa Unified District employees from feeding students in need.
At Richmond High School Tuesday afternoon, cafeteria workers, teachers and staff members, joined by Richmond High Principal Jose DeLeon and WCCUSD Board of Education member Tom Panas, were busy handing out lunches to students.
On Monday, over 400 meals were picked up by students. Tuesday, about 700 lunch meals were provided, DeLeon said.
Many students from low-income families rely on the free or reduced priced meals provided by the school district. While schools are closed during the coronavirus, or COVID-19, pandemic, Panas said the district has an obligation to make sure every student still has access to nutritious foods.
“We want to make sure that everyone is getting enough food and not going hungry,” Panas said.
The WCCUSD officially closed all schools starting on Monday for at least three weeks, with plans for remote learning. The district, however, decided to hold meal distribution sites at nine school locations Mondays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Children under 18, regardless of the school they attend or socioeconomic status, can pick up food to-go at the following locations:
- Pinole Valley High School, 2900 Pinole Valley Road, Pinole, CA 94564
- De Anza High School, 5000 Valley View Road, Richmond, CA 94803
- Richmond High School, 1250 – 23rd Street, Richmond, CA 94804
- Kennedy High School, 4300 Cutting Blvd., Richmond, CA 94804
- Helms Middle School, 2500 Road 20, San Pablo, CA 94806
- DeJean Middle School, 3400 Macdonald Ave., Richmond, CA 94805
- Montalvin Elementary School, 300 Christine Drive, San Pablo, CA 94806
- Riverside Elementary School, 1300 Amador Street, San Pablo, CA 94806
- Nystrom Elementary School, 230 Harbour Way South, Richmond, CA 94804
