USDA grant helps Baldwin County Schools provide evening meals for students

The program, funded by a USDA grant, will run Monday through Thursday starting September 2.

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Baldwin County School District is helping parents who are juggling busy schedules. Starting next week, more than 700 students across Baldwin County will receive a hot dinner.

“A lot of parents have to work late,” said Susan Nelson, the school nutrition director at Baldwin County Schools. “And they don’t feel as rushed to get home and get a meal started because at least they know we’ve already fed them.”

Nelson says when she started the program, she wanted to make sure it was done right.

“We’re not going to be serving pizza and chicken nuggets,” she said. “We’re going to have a hot meal with vegetables and a full meal.”

Dr. Kristina Brooks, superintendent of Baldwin County Schools, says many students participate in after-school activities that can last until 6 or 6:30 p.m.  She says this program helps students move on to their next activity without worrying about dinner.

“When I go home, I can start into those daily events that I do at home,” she said. “So again, just one way to help make sure that our kids have what they need when they’ve been at school past hours, that we’re filling their bellies and helping them prepare for the next day.”

Leader say it’s been well-received in the community and reminded everyone that its main focus is the students. 

The food is prepared at Baldwin County High School and delivered to seven schools in the county. It is all made possible thanks to a grant from the USDA.

The program is available only to students, and there is no cost for students or the community.

The program, which runs Monday through Thursday, starts September 2.