<strong>From staff reports</strong>

The Beaufort County School District has revised the free meal distribution schedule for all district students now that many students have resumed face-to-face instruction on hybrid schedules.

All district students – virtual learners as well as those resuming face-to-face instruction – will still be able to get free meals, and family income will not be a factor.

Since COVID-19 forced a statewide school shutdown last March, the district and Sodexo, its food services contractor, have distributed free meals using a combination of school pick-up points and school bus routes scattered across the county. Since then, 892,090 meals have been provided to Beaufort County children.

As of Monday, bus route meal distribution has ceased as buses are needed to transport hybrid students to school. Buses are running at a 60 percent student capacity in order to accommodate physical distancing recommendations as per DHEC. As a result, the fleet will be fully utilized.

Hybrid students will receive meals during the two days of the week they are attending school and will be provided meals for the remaining days of the week as well. Virtual students will also be provided a weekly allotment of food. Schools will contact families with food distribution information.

About the food program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is funding the continuation of the summer program which supplies free meals to any child under age 18 and anyone under age 21 with a disability Meals will be provided by Sodexo, the school district’s food service contractor.

To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027) at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992.

Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by mail (US Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410); fax: (202-690-7442); or e-mail (programintake@usda.gov).