JCPS plans to double summer meals at bulk distribution sites after running out this week

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- There are more than 50 schools and other locations in Jefferson County where kids can come each day for a free breakfast or lunch.

Jefferson County Public Schools also has three sites where parents can pick up bulk meals, but this week some families like Shanekia Dorsey's left empty-handed.

"If I planned better, would that have made a difference?" Dorsey said. She and her husband work hard to provide for their little girls. "We deliver. Failure is not an option."

Dorsey's oldest daughter, A'ja, heads to fifth grade next year and always eats breakfast and lunch at school.

Grocery prices have skyrocketed, so Dorsey hoped to lean on JCPS's new bulk distribution program this summer.

"I kind of thought that she would be excited to see some familiar things from the school year, and it would've been that extra little boost for us," Dorsey explained.

On Tuesdays, the district hands out boxes of pre-packaged meals with of items like milk, muffins and chicken patty sandwiches. Earlier this week, Dorsey loaded her girls into her car and drove 20 minutes to the site at the Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Training Center. But when she arrived, the site had run out of food.

"I had to answer the 'mommy what happened, why didn't we get the box?'"

There were roughly 540 total boxes for students between the three sites. Each one ran out about a half hour after meal pickup started, which left Dorsey and other families empty-handed.

"As a parent, you don't want to disappoint your kids. You don't want to let anyone disappoint them," Dorsey said.

JCPS knew the summer meals program is important to families, but Terina Edington, Executive Administrator for Nutrition Services at JCPS, said, "The need was much greater than we had anticipated."

JCPS plans to almost double the number of boxes available next Tuesday, but for families in need this week, JCPS still has free in-person meals every day for anyone under 18 years old in the county.

Several other districts in our area offer summer meals for kids, including Clarksville Community Schools.

CCS Food Service Director Melissa Pixley said, "Particularly in urban areas, there are food deserts and food insecurities, so if we can help just one student, that might make their day."

But Clarksville Community Schools says it doesn't see many visitors because most of its participants are in summer school.

On the other hand, JCPS served around 230,000 meals last summer and expects to serve closer to 300,000 this summer.

"I think that's just a testament really to how needed those type of meal distribution sites are," Edington said.

With food insecurity growing in our area, Dorsey wants other families to take advantage of the daily meal programs and that all families can utilize the program at next week's distribution.

"It breaks my heart to know there are kids who go hungry any day," Dorsey said. "We've got to come through for our kids. They need that."

Families can find a list of all the 2024 summer meal locations at www.jcps.nutrislice.com or by calling the JCPS SCNS office at 502-485-3186.

JCPS will have three bulk meal distribution sites where parents or guardians can pick up a box with five free breakfasts and lunches for their kids.:

Beckley Park at the Egg Lawn (1411 Beckley Creek Parkway, Louisville, KY 40245), two parking areas down from the dog park and near the sprinkler park
Evangel World Prayer Center (6900 Billtown Road, Louisville, KY 40299), close to the Gene Snyder Freeway
PRP Fire Training Center (8201 Greenwood Road, Louisville, KY 40258), close to Cane Run Road.

The sites will be open on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning June 4 through July 26 at three locations

Parents will be able to pick up one meal box per child. Each box contains five breakfasts and five lunches.
There is a limit of two boxes if children are not present with a parent.
Parents requesting food for more than two children will be required to have all children present.
Meal boxes will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

The bulk distribution is in addition to the walk-in or walk-up program has offered the past couple of summers. Both programs are open to all children 18 years or younger.

Free, in-person breakfasts and lunches will be available each weekday at 41 mobile stops and 12 community partner locations.

JCPS is also feeding children who are participating in more than 90 summer programs such as Backpack League and Lit & program.

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