USDA extended Summer Food Service Program for 2020-21 academic year

By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

(Dec. 10, 2020) Worcester County Public Schools will follow the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services extension for the Summer Food Service Program and waivers through the 2020-21 academic year, according to Odtis Collins, the coordinator of food services for the county school system.

Odtis Collins

“Worcester County Public Schools is totally committed to ensuring all students across the district have access to nutritious meals, as the pandemic continues to be an issue for so many folks,” Collins said.

The local school system provides curbside meals from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at four locations throughout the week: Snow Hill Elementary School, Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Snow Hill, Pocomoke Middle School and Buckingham Elementary School in Berlin.

“At our sites, a hot meal is offered daily,” Collins said.

Collins said an average of 445 students are served every week through the extended USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service Summer Food Service Program.

Since Worcester County Public Schools originally closed in March because of the novel coronavirus, 257,646 meals have been distributed, including 7,904 meals since Superintendent Lou Taylor announced on Nov. 19 that schools would remain in distance learning until Jan. 4.

As of Tuesday, Collins said the county school system makes food deliveries to 358 students.

Families in need of meal delivery can contact their schools to make those arrangements, said Carrie N. Sterrs, the coordinator of public relations and special programs at Worcester County Public Schools.

The extended Summer Food Service Program is only available for children under the age of 18. Children do not need to be present at the time of

ALLY LANASA/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Robin Dailey, a cafeteria worker for Worcester County Public Schools, distributes free meals to students in need at Buckingham Elementary School on Tuesday.

pick up.

A staff member will request the name(s) of the child(ren) and guardian.

In addition, the public is not permitted inside participating locations in Snow Hill, Pocomoke and Berlin. A staff member will be prepared to bring bagged lunches outside.

For more information, visit worcesterk12.org.

WCPS Meal Program Pick-up

Locations from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday:

Snow Hill 

• Ebenezer United Methodist Church (107 S. Collins St.)
• Snow Hill Elementary School (515 Coulbourne Lane)

Pocomoke

• Pocomoke Middle School (800 Eighth St.)

Berlin

• Buckingham Elementary School (100 W. Buckingham Road)