The Herald-Zeitung

When the county’s two public school districts closed because of the influenza scare this week, school officials scrambled to figure out how to ensure that the 7,600 students who qualify for free or reduced breakfasts and/or lunches would get fed each day.

On Friday, The San Antonio Food Bank announced it would offer assistance to families who need food supplies during the school closings.

Both school districts are working with the San Antonio Food Bank to finalize a system of meal pick-up that will begin next week.

“The Food Bank is working diligently to send food supplies to different locations in New Braunfels to help out families during this time that are dependent on the school food service program,” said Crystal Byrom, New Braunfels Independent School District’s Food Service Director.

NBISD spokesperson Stephanie Ferguson said the district was grateful to the food bank for stepping in.

“When the schools closed, we realized immediately that the 2,800 kids on our free and reduced lunch program would not receive meals,” Ferguson said. “ We were running into some obstacles as we tried to figure out how to help them because the kids actually have to physically sit in a school cafeteria under the regulations of the free and reduced lunch program. We are so thankful for their decision to help our kids.”

The food for the students who qualify (family income) is provided by the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.

With 30 percent (4,800 students) of the district’s students enrolled in the free meal programs, Comal Independent School District spokesperson Kari Hutchison said the district appreciated the San Antonio Food Bank’s efforts and concern for the students affected by school closures.

“We will be communicating how families can access food once a plan is finalized,” Hutchison said.

She said the information would be released to the Herald-Zeitung, by email and on the school district’s website.

San Antonio Food Bank Director Of Development Zuani Villareal said the food bank served 16 counties in South Central Texas including Comal and Guadalupe counties.

“Anyone requiring assistance can call us and we will direct them to one of our local agencies in their area,” Villareal said. “We know there is a great need in both Comal and Guadalupe Counties right now because of the number of students not receiving meals in the free and reduced lunch programs. We are happy to help.”