WACO, TX — Good news for Texas parents - you won't have to worry about feeding your children, even with some grocery items still running short.
A new expansion of the school lunch program aims to give them some peace of mind.
What's for dinner? More families say they've started asking that, after finding less than they wanted at the grocery store.
But here's good news for parents in Waco.
Starting Monday, the school district will expand it's school lunch distribution, to include dinner.
Maria Lopez' kids have the neighborhood jumping. They have lots of energy, and feeding that energy during a pandemic that's left store shelves bare, gets tough.
So, a few times a week sometimes, she takes advantage of free meals from Waco ISD.
"I mean, it's really important. I may not be able to find food at the store, but at least I know for sure, that they get to get something to eat," she said.
Starting Monday, she, and other parents will get a little more help as the school district expands its breakfast and lunch program.
"Beginning Monday we will also be offering dinner, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,” explained Waco ISD food service director Cliff Reece.
That's 3 meals a day for every child around to help them stay focused on remote learning, and give them extra energy to burn off.
"Every child between the ages of 1 and 18 can receive those meals. There's no paperwork needed to be provided, to identify who they are, what school they belong to," said Reece
She added that parents need to bring their children with them to get the meals, or else make special arrangements with Waco ISD ahead of time.
”Any of the meals that receive for that day, with the exception of breakfast, are hot meals.” said Reece.
A big relief to Maria Lopez and other parents, still working, and without a lot of time to shop.
"I think it's a great idea. It gives us busy moms, I still have to work, it's an opportunity to get them something with one less worry."
So, starting Monday, parents can get 3 meals a day for their children at any one of 15 Waco ISD school lunch sites.
You'll find the free meals at the following sites:
Bell’s Hill Elementary
Brook Avenue Elementary
Cedar Ridge Elementary
Cesar Chavez Middle School
Crestview Elementary
Dean Highland Elementary
GWAMA
J.H. Hines Elementary
Kendrick Elementary
Mountainview Elementary
North Waco Annex
South Waco Elementary
Tennyson Middle School
University High School
West Avenue Elementary
You'll find more information available at www.wacoisd.org/domain/7401.