September 3, 2020 3:20 a.m.

Due to changes in guidance from the Oregon Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Winston-Dillard School District will now be able to distribute free meals to all children ages 1-18.

A release from Superintendent Kevin Miller, said previous requirements meant that the district could only serve students enrolled within the school district. With the nationwide extension of the Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option, any child can receive a meal via district school bus routes. The current extension runs through the end of the year.

Miller said parents and caregivers can also pick up the free meals for their children at the designate bus stops. “Grab-and-go” bagged breakfasts and lunches are being delivered Mondays through Thursdays at 230 locations between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. On Monday, students in K-3 returned to in-person learning and are receiving meals at their schools.

The free meal program is part of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service and is administered by the Oregon Department of Education Child Nutrition Programs.

For more information about the meal distribution locations, go to www.wdsd.org.