Puyallup schools halt free meals for students until Monday as COVID-19 anxiety builds

Puyallup School District has halted its program to provide free meals for students in the midst of coronavirus school closures after concerns from nutrition employees.

The grab-and-go program provided families with both lunch and breakfast between 11-11:30 a.m. at four schools across the district.

“We do have kitchen staff who are older and fearful,” Puyallup School Board president Kathy Yang told The News Tribune on Thursday. “We gave them pause today and tomorrow.”

School officials hope to get the program back up and running by Monday with additional locations.

“We’re looking at every elementary school,” Yang said.

The announcement of the first COVID-19 death on Wednesday, a Puyallup resident, might have contributed to the anxiety, Yang said.

Puyallup School District is the second largest district in the county, serving more than 23,000 students. About 37 percent of students identify as low-income, according to state data.

The district made the announcement that it would pause the program via email and social media on Wednesday.

“In light of the Governor’s most recent orders and recommendations today that enforce further restrictions on social distancing and high-risk populations that impact our community and employees, the Puyallup School District is assessing its current breakfast and lunch program,” the district said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, our services for breakfast and lunch are temporarily on hold. We are committed to care for our community, within the mandates from the Governor and health department. We are hopeful our services may resume next week.”

Some shared concern on social media for families who rely on meals through the schools.

“For some kids, these may be the only meals they get. With all of the layoffs, it is even more important than ever!” said one person.

“I know this is hard and a hard thing to do, but thank you for the effort that you all have put into this program or at least try to find a solution,” wrote another.

State Superintendent Chris Reykdal encouraged school districts across the state in a letter on Tuesday to provide school meals.

“Ensure that social distancing strategies are planned for and in place as you deploy… I encourage you to share strategies and plans with other communities and learn from each other,” he wrote.

In the meantime, Puyallup School District has shared resources on its website where families in need can find food, including:

▪ Pierce County meal distribution interactive website: www.piercecountywa.gov/mealsites

▪ Graham South Hill Food Bank, 253-846-3805

▪ Puyallup Food Bank, 253-848-5240

▪ St. Francis House, 253-770-6991.

▪ Mt. View Community Center, 253-826-4329

▪ Salvation Army Food Bank, 253-841-1491