Conroe ISD to distribute food for students on free or reduced lunch

Conroe ISD Dr. Deane L. Sadler Adminstration / Technology Center is seen Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, in Conroe. Conroe ISD Dr. Deane L. Sadler Adminstration / Technology Center is seen Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, in Conroe. Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer / Houston Chronicle Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Conroe ISD to distribute food for students on free or reduced lunch 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

To help ensure that students who receive free and reduced lunches have easy access to daily meals while the district is closed this week, Conroe ISD will be hosting two food distribution events.

CISD chose to extend its spring break and remain closed March 16-20 in response to the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Along with CISD, other districts have announced that they too will be closed next week: Magnolia ISD, Willis ISD, New Caney ISD, and Splendora ISD and The John Cooper School.

The Woodlands Christian Academy will be on spring break next week but will be extending the break the week after, returning to class on March 30.

On both Tuesday and Thursday at multiple district locations, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., families with students receiving a free or reduced lunch can come pick up a package of meals from CISD.

The district has a student population of around 65,000 students and just under 26,000 of those students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

“That’s the group that we’re targeting because we know that’s the group that has the greatest need during our closures,” said CISD communications director Sarah Blakelock.

The district is asking that the students be present when coming to pick up the meals. Distribution will be at the front of the chosen schools.

Distribution sites are: Conroe High School, Caney Creek High School, Hauke High School, Grand Oaks High School, Oak Ridge High School, The Woodlands High School, College Park High School, Austin Elementary, Knox Junior High, and Washington Junior High.

The meals will consist of sack lunches with sandwiches and some breakfast items. Items will be passed through the car windows. The food is perishable and will need to be consumed within the week, but if the district extends its closure Blakelock said the district would continue to distribute food.

“I think that this is something that we would look to provide to our community as we’re able to, as we’re able to receive the food delivery,” she said. “Taking care of our students in need is a huge concern for us. That’s always one of the hardest factors that we grapple with whenever we have to close.”

Blakelock said a meeting was set up for March 16 to learn more about each school’s need and what community support is available at each campus.

jamie.swinnerton@chron.com