Children ages one to 18 are now eligible to receive free meals from Las Cruces Public School distribution sites, thanks to a waiver issued Friday from the USDA. The waiver ensures all children will be fed while schools remain fully online during the COVID-19 crisis. Free meals for all students in Las Cruces will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 9.
When schools went fully online in August, USDA funding required LCPS staff collect a six-digit student ID when meals were distributed. Under the new guidelines, that number will not be required to receive breakfast and lunch for each child. The waiver will remain in effect for all scheduled food distribution days through Dec. 31. Meals are available between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. at 19 different grab-and-go school locations and bus routes are also running for remote meal distribution. Meals will not be served on school-recognized holidays.
During Tuesday’s regular meeting of the LCPS Board of Education, a recommendation was made to expand the bus route for families in the Fairacres area of Las Cruces. Beginning Sept. 9, a stop will be added at Fairacres Road and Sanban Drive.
District officials are still working through details of making meals available later in the day to accommodate parents who work outside the home or are helping their children with online learning at the same time meals are being distributed.
An updated list of grab-and-go sites, along with bus schedules are available under “Community Resources” on the district’s website, www.lcps.net.