{"id":11683,"date":"2020-05-26T18:51:52","date_gmt":"2020-05-26T18:51:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/virginia\/?p=11683"},"modified":"2020-05-27T12:38:17","modified_gmt":"2020-05-27T12:38:17","slug":"stories-from-the-field-cumberland-county-public-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/virginia\/2020\/05\/26\/stories-from-the-field-cumberland-county-public-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"Stories from the Field: Cumberland County Public Schools"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Cumberland County is located in central Virginia, just 50 miles southwest of Richmond City. The school division is comprised of about 1,335 students, 80% of whom qualify for free or reduced lunch. With no grocery stores in the county and limited access to fresh foods, Cumberland County has been considered a food desert for several years. Back in April we spoke with Dr. Chip Jones, the Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, to learn more about what the school division has done to support students and families through the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n

How is your organization or school district helping families and children access food?<\/em><\/h3>\n

Jones:<\/strong> When we first started, it was all so sudden\u2014schools shut down and the world changed. It was hard to wrap our heads around it but we started by serving meals once a day. Sometimes you have to go through something to learn how to manage it best and this was one of those situations. After a bit, we did more to promote our delivery so that folks could practice social distancing and we figured out that we could provide multiple meals at a time to also limit contact.\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

In addition to a couple of key pick-up locations, our district is delivering to homes for families who can\u2019t access those meal sites. It\u2019s a team effort. Central office administration, food staff, bus drivers all help get the food to the sites and homes. You\u2019ll see about seven staff members supporting from across different departments in the school division working at any of our meal sites. We\u2019ve even set up a color coordinated system for breakfast and lunch so that students or families know which is which and it makes distribution quick and easy.<\/p>\n

What challenges are children in need facing with getting food in your community?<\/em><\/h3>\n

Jones:<\/strong> We\u2019re of course a rural school division. There are actually zero grocery stores in the county, only some gas stations and Dollar Generals. It could take families at least 20 minutes to drive to the nearest Food Lion so yes, it\u2019s tough for some families, especially now.<\/p>\n

I also think when people first heard about the feeding programs, they thought if they take the food they might be looked down upon. But we\u2019ve been able to make people feel relaxed and show them we\u2019re here to help.<\/p>\n

Is there anything else people need to know about how the coronavirus\u2019 impact on childhood hunger in your community?<\/em><\/h3>\n

Our nutrition staff has been incredible. They\u2019ve come together and I see smiles on their faces as they prepare and pack food. I think it\u2019s emphasized what an important part they play in schools on a daily basis. I don\u2019t think people have realized what they do for a school system until now. They are essential staff. They\u2019re feeding the students. To see the smiles on kids’ and parents’ faces \u2013 you know they\u2019re helping everyone.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cumberland County is located in central Virginia, just 50 miles southwest of Richmond City. 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