Jacks Valley Elementary School staff prepare to distribute lunches to students in April 2020 after the pandemic resulted in closing the schools.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
Jacks Valley Elementary School received a $1,000 donation in their Angel food accounts for those in need.
Superintendent Frankie Alvarado recognized the Tahoe-Douglas Elks Club Lodge during the Douglas County School Board meeting on Tuesday.
Executive Director of Human Resources Jeanette Dwyer said the Director of Transportation also made a $500 donation for the program.
Douglas County School District Director of School Nutrition Program Jordanna Foster said Angel accounts were set up 6-7 years ago at every school in the district to help students who might need assistance with meals, but over the last four years the accounts were not as crucial due to the universal free meals implemented during the Coronavirus outbreak.
“After transitioning from free meals for the past four and half years, we are really seeing the difficulty families are experiencing with food insecurity,” said Foster.
During the pandemic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture implemented free meals for schools until June 2022. The Nevada Department of Agriculture extended the funds for another two years by utilizing the American Rescue Plan funds, ending with the 2023-2024 academic year.
Since the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, only students who are deemed eligible based on income guidelines after completing a free and reduced meal eligibility form, by participating in other federal assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or Medicaid, or if they are attending a Community Eligibility Provision school may receive a free and reduced-cost meal at a school participating in the National School Breakfast and Lunch programs.
Foster said applications for the Free or Reduced Price Meal Applications are still being accepted.
“We are still accepting applications in hopes families will apply and become eligible,” she said. “It’s not too late to apply, but in the end, there are many kiddos who aren’t on the program or don’t have adequate funds in their accounts or sometimes just forget their lunch at home. We are in the business of feeding kids and donations have really helped those in need for whatever reason.”
Foster said donors can provide a lump sum to the program which is dispersed evenly to every school, or they may choose one specific site.
“It’s up to you on how you would like to see those funds dispersed, but I can tell you that every school has a need in elementary, middle school, and high school,” said Foster.
Donations are accepted by cash or checks made out to DCSD School Nutrition Program, dropped off at any school, or to the School Nutrition Program office located at 1126 Airport Road Building B-1 in Minden.
“I really hope everyone considers making a donation so kids aren’t hungry,” said School Board Student Representative Ender Dempsey. “Kids learn better when they’re not hungry.”
For more information call the Nutrition program at 775-782-7613.
