CUSD provides 34,355 meals to children in need during COVID-19 school closures

By Elysse James

Capistrano Unified is providing thousands of meals to children in the area every weekday while schools are closed.

The district already is distributing breakfast and lunch at eight campuses, and starting Thursday, March 26, will be providing meals at Marblehead Elementary School in San Clemente, Marian Bergeson Elementary School in Laguna Niguel, and Castille Elementary School in Mission Viejo as well.

Capistrano Unified has served 18,432 meals this week — that’s 6,144 children receiving two meals a day, said Kristin Hilleman, director of food and nutrition services. The district has distributed 34,355 meals since the service began last week.

CUSD food and nutrition services provided a total of 5,290 meals on Monday and 8,026 meals on Tuesday. The sites that handed out the most meals were San Juan Elementary School and Marco Forster Middle School serving 1,450 and 1,480 children, respectively.

“It’s what we do every day. We feed kids,” Hilleman said. “This is just something special. Our food nutrition services team is amazing… Not all heroes wear capes, some wear aprons. That’s our people.”

Click here for more information on the curbside meal program.

To reduce contact, drivers are asked to open their trunk or to lower the window next to an empty seat where the food can be placed. To pick up a meal from the district’s drive-through sites from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, the children age 18 or younger must be present.

“Our employees are on the front lines and we’re trying to keep them safe,” Hilleman said.

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Help us stay safe so we can continue to help you. Maintain a social distance of 6 feet from Food Service staff and other families at all times. Our safety lies in your hands and we need it to continue to provide meals to our community. Thank you for doing your part so we can continue to do ours! #inthistogether

A post shared by CUSD Food & Nutrition Services (@capofood) on Mar 25, 2020 at 9:48am PDT