Meals for kids

Jacob Wiegand

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Cape Girardeau School District started providing meals to children Wednesday, March 18, 2020, while schools are closed due to concerns over COVID-19. Kristin Tallent, communications director for Cape Girardeau Public Schools, said there are five locations (all of the elementary schools) operating from 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Tallent said the food, for any kids 18 years old and younger, consists of a hot lunch and a breakfast item to take home for the next day. “We know that so many of our families depend on us to provide meals for their children and so we want to make sure we continue that even though we’re not, you know, able to be back in school right now,” Tallent said. In an email after the first day of the service, Tallent said 636 children were served Wednesday from the five locations. Tallent said the plan is to provide the service as long as school is out. “And hopefully we’ll be able to continue to provide it,” she said. Tallent said the service is available for any children 18 and younger not just students of Cape Girardeau Public Schools.

Clippard Elementary principal Amy Emmenderfer, left, and Central Junior High School athletic director Mike Conner get meals ready to give out for those 18 years old and younger Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at Clippard Elementary in Cape Girardeau. Cape Girardeau School District started providing meals to children Wednesday while schools are closed due to concerns over COVID-19. Kristin Tallent, communications director for Cape Girardeau Public Schools, said there are five locations (all of the elementary schools) operating from 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Cape Central High School athletic director Tyson Moyers carries of box of food while giving out meals for those 18 years old and younger Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at Clippard Elementary in Cape Girardeau. Cape Girardeau School District started providing meals to children Wednesday while schools are closed due to concerns over COVID-19. Kristin Tallent, communications director for Cape Girardeau Public Schools, said there are five locations (all of the elementary schools) operating from 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Clippard Elementary principal Amy Emmenderfer waves at people coming to receive meals for those 18 years old and younger Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at Clippard Elementary in Cape Girardeau. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Cape Girardeau Police Department Cpl. Mark Wyatt hands a container to Cape Central High School athletic director Tyson Moyers while giving out meals for those 18 years old and younger Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at Clippard Elementary in Cape Girardeau. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)

Cape Central High School assistant principal Brice Beck hands out food while giving meals for those 18 years old and younger Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at Clippard Elementary in Cape Girardeau. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Clippard Elementary principal Amy Emmenderfer hands out food for those 18 years old and younger Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at Clippard Elementary in Cape Girardeau. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Cape Central High School athletic director Tyson Moyers hands out food for those 18 years old and younger Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at Clippard Elementary in Cape Girardeau. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Central Middle School sixth-grade teacher Jennifer Parker walks outside while giving out meals for those 18 years old and younger Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at Clippard Elementary in Cape Girardeau. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Clippard Elementary principal Amy Emmenderfer hands out food for those 18 years old and younger Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at Clippard Elementary in Cape Girardeau. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)

Central Middle School special education teacher Ashton Doran waves as people drive up while giving out meals for those 18 years old and younger Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at Clippard Elementary in Cape Girardeau. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Central Middle School sixth-grade teacher Jennifer Parker smiles while working to give out meals for those 18 years old and younger Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at Clippard Elementary in Cape Girardeau. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Food service manager at Cape Central High School and Central Academy Libby Jansen, left, and head cook at Cape Central High School Cindy McConnell, both of Jackson, pose for a photo Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at Clippard Elementary in Cape Girardeau. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)