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The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the extension of the summer meal service for Dysart Unified School District.
Through Dec. 31 or until the federal funding for the program is depleted, all children 18 and younger can receive free breakfast and lunch at any Dysart school.
Breakfast and lunch meal service is available Monday to Friday through drive-thru curbside pick up or in the school cafeterias for students attending learning labs or in-person classes.
Parents may pick up the meals and children do not need to be present or enrolled in a Dysart school to participate.
DUSD Director of Nutrition Services Paul Stanley said proper nutrition and the availability of food is crucial for students.
“A well-nourished student is better prepared to receive instruction and generally shows improved attendance, behavior and academic performance. If a student is focused on hunger it makes it difficult to focus during instruction. The nutrition department approaches each day with the mindset that a full belly supports a hungry mind,” he said.
Last spring, as many as 12,000 meals were served during the closure. Mr. Stanley said DUSD hopes to serve upwards of 15,000 total meals each day in the fall.
Dysart Director of Communications and Public Relations Renee Ryon said district administration is always looking for programs to better support the students and community.
"Programs like this are extremely valuable, and since they are federally funded, they do not impact funding of other services at the school. Dysart prides itself in being fiscally responsible, and leveraging programs like this allows us to better serve our community and provide much needed supports,” Ms. Ryon said.
I am passionate about sports and community writing and shining the light on positivity, while delivering the facts. I have been with the Independent team for five months, but in the game for 15 years. I am a proud Grand Canyon University alumni. Born and raised in Peoria, I also am blessed to have a street named after me called Jennifer Rose Court.
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