AACPS Surpasses 1 Million Meals Given To Students

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — When school was first shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, officials knew that for some students, their only meals of the day were eaten at school. So leaders with Anne Arundel County Public Schools quickly rolled out a plan to safely distribute meals to students while social distancing.

On Tuesday, the school district handed out its 1 millionth meal. Since March 16, the first day school was closed, AACPS began providing meals to children ages two to 18. By the time school employees handed out the last meal Tuesday, they logged 1,008,252 meals for 336,084 children.

“Our food and nutrition services team is nothing short of phenomenal,” said AACPS Superintendent George Arlotto in a statement. “They have been at our meal sites in all kinds of weather to ensure children are fed and their commitment never wavers. It is inspiring to see.”

Children can go to any of the 40 school sites from noon to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or at any of the 20 additional mobile meals at the specified times. Children do not have to be eligible for free and reduced-price meals to pick up meals. Adults cannot accept meals on behalf of children who are not present.

“The highlight for me is the satisfaction I see on the faces,” said Jodi Risse, supervisor of food and nutrition services. “I see that satisfaction in children, in adults, and in the members of our team who view this as a calling to help our community. It is incredible to watch.”

The school district's meal distribution has included:

• 10,155 meals served to 3,385 students on March 16, the first day of distribution.
• An average of 25,852 meals served per day.

A complete list of sites can be found at www.aacps.org/mealpickup.