Henrico Schools to eliminate 12 school meal service sites starting Jan. 4
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Curbside meal distribution will end at 12 Henrico school sites Dec. 17 and consolidated with nearby locations when school resumes Jan. 4, according to the school system.
The 12 sites being eliminated from the distribution process have lower-than-average participation rates. Each is within three miles or less of another site that will remain open. The changes won’t impact the bus-stop food deliveries made at various sites twice weekly.
Dec. 17 also is the last day this year that the school system will offer its curbside and bus-stop food distribution; they will resume Jan. 4.
But Henrico Schools spokesman Andy Jenks told the Citizen Wednesday that the school system will continue to provide meals to families and students in need during the winter break.
"Henrico families still have access to food support through HCPS and the Henrico Education Foundation even as our cafeteria workers are allowed time to spend with their loved ones during Winter Break," Jenks said. "For example, we always work to ensure, beyond our cafeteria meal program, that we are providing our students in need with access to food that will cover the nutritional needs for out-of-school time (such as weekends and holidays). This additional support comes in many forms, through our Social Work team and our Family Engagement team, and, in December, through our connection to groups including the Henrico Christmas Mother. "
Families with food needs also are being provided with gift cars to local grocery stores, Jenks said. A number of $100 gift cards funded by the Henrico Education Foundation have been distributed recently, he said.
"Teachers, counselors, social workers, family advocates and other school-based personnel are best positioned to have the relationships necessary to identify needs and to raise awareness with specific families and communities," Jenks said. "Principals, social workers, counselors, other school-based personnel and HCPS families are being reminded this week how to make the necessary connections for their families."
The discontinued curbside pick-up sites (with the nearest alternative sites in parentheses, followed by the distance in miles from the discontinued sites) are:
• The Academy at Virginia Randolph (Glen Allen Elementary School, 3);
• New Bridge Learning Center (Highland Springs Elementary School, 0.9; Highland Springs High School, 1.9; Fairfield Middle School, 1.1);
• Holman Middle School (Rivers Edge Elementary School, 0.8; Deep Run High School, 1.6);
• Donahoe Elementary School (Fair Oaks Elementary School, 2.1);
• Arthur Ashe Elementary School (Ratcliffe Elementary School, 2.8; Harvie Elementary School, 2.4);
• Moody Middle School (Trevvett Elementary School, 1.3);
• Pemberton Elementary School (Quioccasin Middle School, 0.4):
• Mehfoud Elementary School (Varina Elementary School, 0.9);
• Baker Elementary School (John Rolfe Middle School, 0.8; Varina High School, 1.1;
• Douglas Freeman High School (Ridge Elementary School, 0.4; Tuckahoe Middle School, 0.6);
• Chamberlayne Elementary School (L. Douglas Wilder Middle School, 1.6);
• Jackson Davis Elementary School (J. R. Tucker High School, 1.6).
To view an online map of school and bus stop distribution sites by going to https://tinyurl.com/HCPSMealsSites.
For details, visit https://henricoschools.us/returntoschool/ and click on “Free School Meals.”
