District receives grant for student meals, zen

Oberlin City Schools has been the recipient of several grants this academic year that have aided in the creation of zen rooms, increased safety and improved literacy, according to a news release.

Recently, Oberlin Schools Food Services Department received a $33,000 grant focused on providing meals to students, the release said.

School breakfasts and lunches are a vital part of any school district, especially in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic, said Mark Craig, Oberlin City Schools director of Food Services.

Craig said he wanted to make sure all students not only received breakfast and lunch, but he wanted to ensure that all meals were nutritious and healthy.

“When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it made our department become more aware of the food insecurity within homes,” he said. “It also made us realize that not every child has the opportunity to receive a healthy meal.”

Craig applied for a grant through the Children’s Hunger Alliance; and he recently received the news that the $33,000 grant had been approved, according to the release.

“The Children’s Hunger Alliance is a program that provides grants to districts who are trying to better provide meals to their students,” he said. “The grant was for our new walkin cooler at Oberlin High School, but additional funding helps with carryout supply cost and labor to put together the meals every day for the students in the district who rely on the meals.”

COURTESY An Oberlin City Schools Food Services employee prepares meals.