Worth County Offering Free Meals for Children Ages 1-18

The Worth County R-III School District received information on September 3, 2020 that the district is eligible to continue operating the Seamless Summer Operation (SSO) meal program from August 31, 2020 until the end of the calendar year, or until the program runs out of funding. The SSO operates under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This is in addition to the money that was donated to the school lunch program recently through the America’s Farmers Grow program.

What does that mean for families? All children ages 1-18 are eligible for free meals. As a result the following conditions apply:

–Any student going through the lunch line will receive a free meal. (Breakfast and Lunch)

–Any extras/ala carte items WILL BE charged to the students account

Children ages 1-5 who are not enrolled in the school are eligible for family members to pick up a meal for the child. We would ask that families contact the elementary office at 660-564-3320 and make the school aware of the need for a meal so that an accurate meal count is prepared. We ask that families make the school aware of the need for a meal by 3:00 pm the day prior to the meal pick-up.

All virtual learners within the Worth County R-III School District are also eligible for free meals. We would again ask that families contact the elementary office at (660) 564-3320 and make the school aware of the need for a meal so that an accurate meal count is prepared. We ask that families make the school aware of the need for a meal by 3:00 the day prior to the meal pick-up.

At this time, the school is not delivering meals. Families with children ages 1-5 and virtual families will need to make arrangements to pick up meals. The school will provide curbside pick-up from 10:00 - 10:30 at the south parking lot.

Additional information:

The free meals are retroactive for August 31- September 4th. However, meals on August 25-28th are not free and families are responsible for payment on those meals.

If a family absolutely needs a refund of lunch money, the school will need a written notice from families to do so. “We are, however, encouraging families to leave the money in their child’s account as funding for this program could end on short notice and families would again be required to begin paying for meals again,” said Dr. Martz, superintendent.