When Gov. John Bel Edwards called for a month-long closure of schools to stop the spread of COVID-19, a major concern of educational leaders was the students who depend on the two meals they get at schools every weekday.

So the Lafayette Parish School System is offering a grab-and-go breakfast and lunch pick-up service, preparing and distributing meals beginning March 17.

While schools are closed students and their families can drive through and pick up meals at designated locations. Pick-up is 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every week day.

Pick-up times shifted from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. after a few days of serving meals. The change gives staff additional time to prepare meals to help meet the increase in participation, said Renee Sherville, director of child nutrition services for LPSS.

And most sites experienced very little traffic in that first hour of distribution, Sherville said.

"The staff will be able to use this extra time to prepare and package the meals for pick-up," Sherville said. "Parents are letting us know that it's nice to receive today's lunch and tomorrow's breakfast in one trip."

Any student in the parish in need of lunches may pick up a meal at these locations during that time, according to the district.

The student must be present to receive a meal. There will be no exceptions.

More:Coronavirus: 'Lafayette Parish has a plan' as governor closes schools for a month

Meals will be brought out to the cars or students.

Families with LPSS students with a special diet prescription on file are to call the Meal Service Hotline at 337-521-7370 to coordinate a pick-up location.

Below are the designated locations for meal pick-up:

Alice Boucher Elementary, 400 Patterson St., Lafayette

Carencro Middle School, 4301 North University Ave., Carencro

Charles M. Burke Elementary, 2845 Ridge Road, Duson

Cpl. Michael Middlebrook Elementary, 1801 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette

Duson Elementary School, 301 Fourth St., Duson

Edgar Martin Middle School, 401 Broadmoor Blvd., Lafayette

J. W. Faulk Elementary, 711 East Willow St., Lafayette

Lafayette Middle School, 1301 West University Ave., Lafayette

Live Oak Elementary, 3020 North University Ave., Lafayette

Paul Breaux Middle, 1400 South Orange St., Lafayette

Scott Middle School, 116 Marie St., Scott

S.J. Montgomery Elementary, 600 Foreman Dr., Lafayette

Youngsville Middle School, 600 Church St., Youngsville

Public health officials are asking the public to call their primary care provider before going to an emergency room or doctor's office. People without a primary care provider who have questions about COVID-19 or feel like they may be developing symptoms can contact 1-211 or text LACOVID to 898-211 for information.