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• Prepping meals in Barre

Cafeterias may be closed, but schools are still serving meals to students. In the Barre City Elementary and Middle School kitchen, a small crew prepares meals for kids in Barre City and the surrounding Barre Town. Food service supervisor Ashley Young says almost 600 students are signed up to receive breakfast and lunch — about a quarter of the student population. Four school buses deliver the packaged meals to around 20 locations on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Each student receives seven breakfasts and lunches per week. Friday deliveries contain meals for the weekend. Young was amazed by the enthusiastic response when she put out a request for volunteers to help load buses, hand out meals at designated locations and home-deliver food to families who aren't able to pick it up. She's secured around 50 volunteers, with a roster of substitutes. Her biggest challenge has been making sure that all families who need food are signed up. Every day, Young hears from parents and caregivers about how important the curbside food service is to their families. In a time of uncertainty and fear about illness, Young says she's "humbled" by how the community has rallied to feed its kids.

To sign up for school meals, inquire with your school district or supervisory union.