LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Some Kentucky families find it difficult to put food on the table for their children during the summer. At least one Kentucky school district is providing families multiple options to feed their students. 

What You Need To Know

  • Jefferson County Public Schools prepare and give out 12,000 meal boxes

  • The first week the meals were offered, JCPS ran out after 5,500 boxes

  • The pick-up sites are located at Beckley Park, Evangel World Prayer Center and PRP Fire Training Center
  • Pick-ups are avaiable every Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. until July 26 

The school year is in the rearview mirror, but many students and families rely on school for breakfast and lunch. The Jefferson County Public Schools meal program ran out of food last week after giving away 5,500 meals in just under an hour. The program is a first-come, first-serve basis. This week they gave away 12,000 meals. JCPS said its three distribution sites ran out of food by 1 p.m. 

Alex Smith, a mom of two JCPS students, made it to one of the meal site in time. 

“It’s definitely a blessing. You know, we’re struggling like everyone else. So it’s definitely something that we look forward to,” Smith said. 

Smith and her husband work full time.

Each meal box comes with five breakfasts and lunches. Smith’s children have lunch and snacks when they are home alone. 

 “I can still prepare my own food, but it’s much more convenient using that as something to eat,” Jonah Smith, said.

Terina Edington works with JCPS Nutrition Services and said rising prices are causing families to face financial struggles. 

“You go from them eating breakfast and lunch at school for you to start having to purchase enough groceries to feed, breakfast and lunch to all your children throughout the week. So we’re hoping that not only this program provides some excellent nutrition for the kids, but we’re also hoping that it helps to alleviate some of that, financial burden for the parents as well,” Edington said. 

JCPS plans to add about 400 more meal boxes total next week, so they can hand out over 16,000 meals. All available boxes were picked up by 12:30pm this week and last week at all locations. 

The pick-up sites are at Beckley Park, Evangel World Prayer Center and PRP Fire Training Center. The drive-through locations are open from 10 a.m.—1 p.m. every Tuesday until July 26. 

Parents and guardians can get the meal boxes for students 18 years-old or younger. One box is available for each child and each includes five breakfasts and lunches. If the parent or guardian wants more than two boxes, the child must be present when picking up the meals. 

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