Free meals for all children available at school districts

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All children, regardless of whether they attend public, private or home school, can continue to receive free meals from their local public school district.

An extension of nationwide waivers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for several summer feeding programs was approved through the end of 2020 or until available funding runs out, according to the federal agency and local districts.

Two of the main flexibilities the waivers offer include allowing meals to be served in all areas and outside of the typically required group settings at no cost and for parents and guardians to pick up meals for their children.

"This unprecedented move will help ensure - no matter what the situation is on the ground - children have access to nutritious food as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic," says a USDA news release.

How long these waivers will be granted remains uncertain. USDA has calculated remaining funding taking into account that Congress did not authorize enough funding for the entire 2020-21 school year.

According to the agency, reporting activities by states on needs are delayed because of the pandemic, but the agency projected it could offer the extension for the rest of the year based on April data.

All children 18 years and younger in the community can pick up meals according to the district's plans.

Sumter School District

In Sumter, participants are asked to complete a registration form on-site to receive a meal card.

A week's worth of meals will be available for pick up each Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon at the following locations: Crestwood High School; Hillcrest Middle School; Sumter High School; Cherryvale Elementary School; Crosswell Drive Elementary School; Chestnut Oaks Middle School; Willow Drive Elementary School; R.E. Davis College Preparatory Academy; Pocalla Springs Elementary School; Manchester Elementary School; Rafting Creek Elementary School; Lemira Elementary; Bates Middle School; Oakland Primary School; Alice Drive Middle School; Kingsbury Elementary School; and Wilder Elementary School.

To ensure food safety, make sure meals are properly stored and refrigerated.

Meals will also be delivered in the community each Wednesday according to the following schedule:

- Iris Winds, 10 a.m. / Sherwood Forest, 10:30 a.m.

- Mary McLeod Bethune Library, 10:30 a.m. / Third Street, 11 a.m.

- Salterstown Center, 10 a.m. / Falcon Crest, 10:45 a.m.

- Shiloh Community Center, 10 a.m. / St. John's School, 10:45 a.m.

- Catchall Center, 10 a.m. / Oakland Primary, 10:45 a.m. / Shaw Heights, 11:15 a.m.

- Crescent Mobile Homes, 10 a.m. / American Mobile Homes, 10:45 a.m.

- F.J. Delaine Community Center, 10 a.m.

- Windsor City, 10 a.m. / Hunter's Crossing, 10:45 a.m.

- Frierson Mobile Homes, 10 a.m. / Ebenezer Center, 10:45 a.m.

- Whispering Meadows, 10 a.m. /Annie & Bush, 10:30 a.m., / Lee Altman 11 a.m.

- Homestead, 10 a.m. / Cotton Acres, 10:45 a.m. / Cannery Road, 11:30 a.m.

- New Bethel Church, 10 a.m. / A&J Mobile Homes, 10:45 a.m. / Pack Road, 11 a.m.

- Pinewood Community Center, 10:30 a.m. / Pinewood Gardens, 11 a.m.

- Pioneer Drive, 10 a.m. / Country Springs, 10:30 a.m. / Havenwood, 11 a.m. / Pearson Road, 11:20 a.m. / Timmerman, 11:35 a.m.

- Wedgefield Post Office, 10:15 a.m.

- North HOPE Center, 10 a.m. /Trinity Baptist Church, 10:45 a.m.

- Lantana Apartments, 10:45 a.m. / Chestnut Point, 11:10 a.m. / Dillon Park, 11:30 a.m.

- South HOPE Center, 10 a.m. /Lemira Elementary, 10:45 a.m.

- Crosswell Drive Elementary, 10:15 a.m. / Harmony Court, 11 a.m.

- Jehovah FLE Center, 10:45 a.m.

- Birnie HOPE Center, 10 a.m.

- Coachman Apartments, 10:30 a.m.

- Millwood School, 10 a.m.

- Rembert Community Center,10 a.m.

- Rembert Post Office, 10:30 a.m.

- Pisgah Cross Roads, 11:15 a.m.

Clarendon School District 2

Beginning Monday, Sept. 28, children will receive five breakfasts and five lunches each week.

Children do not have to be in the car with the adult who is picking up the meals, but adults must have the name or Meal Number for CSD2 students. Adults of children who are not CSD2 students must complete a registration form.

District students who are participating in the hybrid model and attending school one day a week will pick up their meals on the day they attend school.

Meal will be available for pickup at the kitchen entrance at the back of each school between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and between 3 and 5 p.m. on Thursdays.

Meal reservations must be submitted weekly by noon the day before pick-up. Complete a survey online or call the school cafeteria.

Cafeteria numbers:

- Manning Early Childhood Center: (803) 473-4808

- Manning Primary School: (803) 435-8535

- Manning Elementary School: (803) 435-4653

- Manning Jr. High School: (803) 435-2778

- Manning High School: (803) 435-5070