The Food and Nutrition (FNS) staff of Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) was recently recognized by No Kid Hungry Maryland for their hard work and dedication to the school system during the pandemic.
From the closure of schools in March 2020 to the return of face-to-face learning in September 2021, CCPS FNS served more than 1.1 million meals through the Summer Food Service Program.
CCPS also served more than 300,000 extracurricular meals that contribute to the highest percentage of Maryland students with extracurricular meals, according to the 2021 Extracurricular Nutrition Report of the Food Research and Action Report.
Ayesha Holmes, director of No Kid Hungry MD, and Kara Panowitz, senior manager, expressed the dedication of CCPS FNS during the pandemic.
“It simply came to our notice then [CCPS FNS] efforts, many children and families would find it difficult
time to access the food they need, “Holmes and Panowitz said.
No Kid Hungry is a national campaign run by Share Our Strength, a nonprofit organization working to address the problems of hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world. No Kid Hungry works with national and local schools and agencies to implement policies related to extracurricular, summer, and breakfast meals programs that help hungry children gain access to nutritious meals.
The immediate responses of CCPS Food and Nutrition staff members to fill in where help was needed to provide food to families during COVID reflect the mission of CCPS FNS.
Crystal Richardson, CCPS’s director of food and nutrition, said: students who depend on us every day for meals, were cared for during the break. “
Rain or snow did not stop the Food and Nutrition staff from meeting the needs of the
community. “I think the hardest part of the sidewalk was the weather. We went through extreme cold and summer heat. We were outside during the rain and snow. I know most of my staff look back at the sidewalk and remember the good ones. moments. We would all do it again without hesitation, “said Victoria Langley, food and services manager at JC Parks Elementary School.
The No Kids Hungry Certificate of Thanksgiving was presented by the Charles County Board of Education and the leadership of No Kids Hungry Maryland to CCPS Food and Nutrition Department staff at the Board meeting on April 12. . The certificate acknowledged the commitment and determination shown to provide meals to CCPS students and families.
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