Although Hattiesburg public schools are closed until deemed safe from COVID-19, the schools continue to provide breakfast and lunch for students.
Children age 18 and under can pick up free meals in a local school’s drop-off car line even if they are not students at the school. Walk-ups are also welcome for those who are nearby.
The previous week, March 16-20, was officially spring break, so Monday was the first day the schools started handing out meals.
At Thames Elementary School, on that one day, 181 lunches were distributed.
According to one staff member, the school was prepared to hand out up to 400 lunches. The food is being prepared by each school’s regular cafeteria workers.
Although each child is entitled to both breakfast and lunch, pickup occurs between 10 a.m. until noon. To limit exposure and travel time, breakfast and lunch are distributed at the same time: a hot lunch and breakfast for the next morning.
Adults can also be served, but there is a small charge. Adult breakfast is $2.25, and lunch is $3.75, according to Hattiesburg’s website.
