LOUISVILLE, Ky — Cafeteria workers faced long lines of hungry Louisville families Thursday, as the district’s meal program aimed to produce food to last through winter break.
What You Need To Know
- JCPS began handing out meals to Kentucky families ahead of the district's winter break
- Most of the million pounds of food was gone by noon
- Some families had to be turned away after food ran out
Before noon, with more than 120 pickup sites throughout Jefferson County, school after school ran out, sending caravans searching for other buildings and what was left of 1,000,000 pounds of food.
"One of my good friends is a food service director down in Houston and she put it well: We’re now seeing the kids at the end of the cul de sac," said Dan ellnore, JCPS assistant director for nutrition services. "Those families that usually make ends meet but, maybe on occasion will have to make a decision between new tires or new shoes for Johnny. Those are the families that we’re seeing come through now."
As needs fluctuated this year, one constant remained; the cafeteria staff, still coming to school each day, working in empty buildings.
"You’re so used to hugging the children when they come in, too, you know, and giving them high fives," said Resa Burton, a food service worker at Layne Elementary in the southwest corner of Jefferson County. "Is it gonna be like that when they come back? Are we still wearing these masks and we can’t get close?"
At the schools we visited, workers stayed until each box was gone. After that, they had to tell arriving parents - often with children in the back seats - that there was no more food to give out. As a van drove away unsuccessful, one worker said it was heartbreaking.
They said they hoped nearby schools had enough to render help, but they were unsure.