CARBONDALE (WSIL) -- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students have not been back to school since the middle of March. But cafeteria workers in Carbondale District 95 are still packing up lunches to take to their students.
"We started running the buses, packing meals for the kids So we can continue feeding them," said Sherry Wyatt, District 95's Food Service Director.
Every morning, bright and early, Wyatt and the other cooks start packing up breakfast and lunch for every student they can.
But these meals aren't just a grab-and-go bag.
The district now has a sealing machine that allows the meals to be sealed and reheated upon delivery.
"The meal is actually frozen when they get it. So it's microwavable, or oven-able, in that tray. So it's just like getting a TV dinner at the store," said Wyatt.
The cooks then load the hundreds of meals and drive all around Carbondale to deliver the meals to kids at each school.
Kids and parents alike appreciate the service.
"Oh, it's great because I have another child at home and a newborn baby, so getting the whole crew out just to get some lunches is a little bit difficult. But still, like I said, better than having to go to the grocery store, and it helps a lot on groceries for our family," said Carrie Smith, who has a student in District 95.
If you need a meal and you miss the food delivery, Wyatt wants people to know the school will help you out.
"Let us know if you need meals. We will definitely get them to you if we miss you. Or if you can't make it to the school, definitely call because we can get them to you."
The buses currently run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and sometimes Fridays and will continue to run throughout the school year.
Parents can also go to directly to their child's school to pick up the lunches if they choose.
