CapoUSD Feeds Laguna Niguel, Dana Point Students During Shutdown

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA — With social distancing rules and so many staying inside, hunger is something that you may not notice. School Districts work to keep their students and families fed during the challenging time when many parents are out of work and finances are tight.

In south Orange County, Capistrano Unified School District works hard to keep their students and families fed. Each meal they serve is reimbursed by the United States Department of Agriculture, according to a district spokesperson. Since the shutdown, they've passed out over 81,015 meals as of mid-April, the district reported. That's an average of 4,500 bagged meals per day since the school closure in mid-March.

The volume of students picking up meals has increased, they say. On Monday, several lined up cars unable to be served this week due to a shortage of food, one parent reported. Mother Sara Lynn commented over social media that "there were a dozen cars in line, so a lot of kids didn't get food" on Monday.

District Nutrition Specialist Shannon Illingworth expressed the district's apology, asking that all be patient as they work out the kinks. The numbers of bags needed at each location are something the team reassesses after each pick up is concluded, she said. Still, that left a sting for the cars lined up and handfuls of families that are forced to leave, empty-handed.

District workers use social distancing practices, handing out properly sanitized bags of meals to families queued in drive-thru car lines. Families lined up in pouring rain or sunshine, regardless of weather, all are working super hard, according to Illingworth.

The district invites all children, 18 and younger, to collect meals from its distribution sites on Monday and Wednesday. Make sure you have the proper documentation if your children aren't with you.

• Mondays: each child will receive two breakfast and two lunch meals that will last through Tuesday.
• Wednesdays: they'll receive three breakfast and three lunch meals, enough to last through Friday.

"We have plenty of food, and anyone can stop by, they just need to have their kids with them or documentation to take advantage of the program," she said. "It helps their families, and it helps us."

To pick up meals, people stay in their vehicles and line up at the participating school sites. As the cars approach the curb, signal how many meals are needed by holding up that number of fingers. Staff then place meals on a cart next to the curb and step away at least 6 feet before the person gets out of their vehicle to collect the food, doing their best not to touch the cart. If it is touched, it will be sanitized before the next meal is placed.

This keeps everyone a safe distance apart to protect both employees and families.

Meals pickup is between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday in the parking lot or bus lane at these participating schools until further notice:

• Carl Hankey K-8: 27252 Nubles, Mission Viejo
• Castille Elementary: 24042 Vía La Coruna, Mission Viejo
• Hidden Hills Elementary: 25142 Hidden Hills Rd, Laguna Niguel
• Las Flores Elementary: 25862 Antonio Pkwy, Rancho Santa Margarita
• Las Palmas Elementary: 1101 Calle Puente, San Clemente
• Marblehead Elementary: 2410 Via Turqueza, San Clemente
• Marco Forster Middle School: 25601 Camino Del Avion, San Juan Capistrano
• Marian Bergeson Elementary: 25302 Rancho Niguel Rd, Laguna Niguel
• H. Dana Elementary: 24242 La Cresta Dr, Dana Point
• San Juan Elementary: 31642 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano
• Wood Canyon Elementary: 23431 Knollwood, Aliso Viejo

Note: If gluten-free or special diet restrictions are needed, call 949-234-9510.

Visit the Capistrano Unified School District Food & Nutrition Services Department website for more information.