CUSD has served 61,061 meals since school closures due to COVID-19

Capistrano Unified continues to provide thousands of meals to children in the area every weekday while schools are closed due to COVID-19.

CUSD has now served a total of 61,061 meals since schools moved to distance learning in March.

The protocols have changed in the last week as Capistrano Unified and the California Department of Education considered safer requirements to protect parents, children and school staff. CUSD is providing thousands of meals each week, and already has served 14,908 meals this week, with still another day left.

Meal service procedures at Capistrano Unified were changed in the last week after Food & Nutrition Services worked with a District nurse on the safest method to exchange meals.  They found the best method is to place meals on a cart for families to pick up whether they drive or walk through.

The new practice allows for vehicles to wait in line (while everyone stays in their cars) and as vehicles approach the curb, parents will indicate how many meals they need with their fingers. Staff will then place meals on a cart, which is next to the curb alongside the vehicle.

Capistrano Unified staff will move 6 feet away from the cart and let the parent know when they can get out of the vehicle to pick up their meals. Families can do their best by maintaining a 6-foot social distance and not touch the cart. If they do touch the cart, staff will pause meal service to sanitize the cart.

In addition, the USDA and California Department of Education recently updated the requirement that children should be present to receive meals. CUSD schools are now authorized to provide meals when a child is not present, but parents must be able to provide documentation the child attends school in the Capistrano Unified School District.

Adults can provide documentation using the following:

  • Official letter/email from school showing enrolled child
  • Individual report card
  • Attendance record from Parent Portal
  • Student ID card
  • Birth certificate for child not in school

When going through the drive through, adults can hold documentation up to the window or, if in the walk through, place documentation on the cart for review.

“The safety of our families and staff are so important right now,” said Shannon Illingworth. “We appreciate families doing their part so we can continue to do ours.”

Meals are served between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

This service takes place in the parking lot or bus lane at these participating schools: 

  • 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
  • R.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

Visit the Food & Nutrition Services Department website for more information.

More about how Capistrano Unified continues to prepare for and prevent COVID-19: 

Capistrano Unified announces distance learning will continue until further notice

Capistrano Unified reminds families “we’re all in this together”

CUSD teachers, students embrace distance learning amidst school closures

Capistrano Unified program donates thousands of medical supplies to Kaiser Permanente

Distance learning to continue for Capistrano Unified through May 1

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

As classrooms go virtual, CUSD teachers are prepared

Kaiser Pediatrician talks COVID-19 with Capistrano Unified

Capistrano Unified serves lunch, breakfast to 6,705 kids and counting

Capistrano Unified Principals engage students virtually during COVID-19 closures

Social distancing for kids in the age of COVID-19, Capistrano Unified shares resources

Capistrano Unified serves more than 1,000 free meals during COVID-19 school closure

Capistrano Unified offers students free curbside lunches during COVID-19 school closures

Capistrano Unified Closes Schools Amidst Global Coronavirus Concerns

No coronavirus cases in Capistrano Unified; district prepares

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