In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sarasota County Schools said in an email tonight that it will provide meals for children 18 and under beginning March 23, the week after spring break. Meals will be given via drive-thru service, to avoid any unnecessary contact, and will run Monday through Friday each week until schools reopen. Families in need of meals prior to March 23 should contact All Faiths Food Bank, the district said.

The school system adds that parents and guardians can pick up a meal for their child each day between 9 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.; children must also be in the car in order for parents and guardians to receive meals, which include lunch and breakfast for the next day. The county's Food & Nutrition Services department will try to accommodate allergies, and parents and guardians can email [email protected] with allergy considerations, their location for meal pick-up and the approximate time of pick up.

Meals are available at the following schools:

Booker High School – 3201 N. Orange Ave.
Fruitville Elementary School – 601 Honore Ave.
Garden Elementary School – 700 Center Road, Venice
North Port High School – 6400 West Price Blvd., North Port
Atwater Elementary School – 4701 Huntsville Ave., North Port  

The district added that its leadership team is meeting this week to develop a plan for remote teaching during school closures, including online learning for older students and paper-based resources for younger ones. All standardized testing has been pushed back two weeks. The district also reminds parents and guardians to complete a survey about mobile devices in case teachers need to provide virtual instruction in case of extended closures. Click here to access the survey.