Public school meal pickup to resume April 6

While Lincoln Parish public schools will not serve meals for the remainder of this week or the previously scheduled spring break next week, the district announced Tuesday the service will be able to resume on April 6.

The school board said Monday meal pickups would be suspended after that morning’s distribution due to shortages in masks and other supplies needed to protect employees and ensure those handling food were not sick.

However, Superintendent Mike Milstead said Tuesday morning the National Guard has committed to providing masks and gloves through the Louisiana Department of Education for an “extended period of time.”

Monday’s distribution was intended to provide students with enough lunches to last until the previously scheduled spring break that begins March 30. Milstead said schools handed out an average of four meals per student that day.

With the supplies from the Guard, food services will resume on April 6. Schools are currently slated to return to class the following week, starting April 13.

School nurses will conduct temperature scans for all employees who handle or distribute food when the service returns.

Meanwhile, Lincoln Preparatory School in Grambling is continuing its meal pickup service from 10 a.m. to noon and conducting no-contact delivery to Lincoln Prep families who cannot pick up. Executive Director Gordan Ford said this service will continue through the closure period, including during the school’s regularly scheduled spring break.