Hot Springs School District to provide summer meal program

The Hot Springs School District, with the help of Chartwells, the school’s food service provider, will still prepare and deliver lunches to students during the summer.

Superintendent Stephanie Nehus said the district will have a summer meal program that will last from June 8 to July 30.

The locations are Park Magnet, an IB World School, 617 Main St., from

11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.; Family Dollar, 899 Park Ave., from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; Family Park, 215 Family Park Road, from

11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; Mountain View Heights, 800 Spring St., from 12:30-1:15 p.m.; Walmart Neighborhood Market,

1544 Malvern Ave., from 12:30-1:15 p.m. The menu is available via the Nutrislice Mobile App and at http:// www.hssd.nutrislice.com.

Nehus said students are the school district’s greatest asset, and it is committed to doing anything within its ability to ensure their safety and success as they grow.

Chartwells, the food service provider for all six of the district’s schools, also frequently work event catering and special district functions, Nehus said.

“They are an outstanding group. We couldn’t be more pleased with their expertise, dedication, food quality, professionalism and ingenuity,” she said.

Nehus said the school district and Chartwells have a collaborative partnership that has grown over the last five years. They work together to brainstorm ideas to provide the best, high-quality food experiences for the students.

“Adding the food truck is one prime example of how our relationship has grown. I had a vision, and they brought that vision to reality,” she said.

As of Thursday, the district has served 76,992 meals to Hot Springs families, Nehus said, noting it brings them great joy to be able to offer this type of service to the students, children and adults across the area.

“The least of anyone’s worries right now should be food; we are deeply

thankful and grateful that we can implement this effort,” she said.

The current free meal schedule, locations and prices for the district will continue through May 28, which is the final day of the current instruction year. All pickup locations, school bus stops, times, and details, are included on the school website, Nehus said.

“Food is one of the most basic needs, and especially now, it is not something that our families should be struggling to find. We feel very blessed to be able to provide this critical need to our students, families, and community,” she said.

“Our role as educators, parents, and members of the community, in general, must include the modeling of citizenship for our kids if we want them to carry on those duties. A citizen serves and supports his/her community,” she said.

“Providing meals is one way that we can serve the Hot Springs area, and we are honored to be part of that service — alongside the many heroes and heroic organizations who are also working to provide care, protection, support, and resources of all kinds during this challenging period,” Nehus said.

According to the district’s website, summer meals are free to all children 18 and younger. At Park Magnet, lunches will be served with a bagged breakfast for the next day.

Meals are available for purchase to adults, at a cost of $2.25 for breakfast and $3.50 for lunch.