Coni Dobbels is the Supervisor for Food and Nutrition Services for Davenport Schools. She says the school district was able to offer free meals last year, and can now do so again thanks to pandemic relief money.
"It was kind of a no-brainer, I think, that there was such a strong need, and because of the pandemic I think it just made things more clear to the government that these types of programs are really needed."
Participating students must choose at least one fruit or vegetable, in addition to an entree and milk.
Dobbels notes that the program is universal and income-blind, meaning all students can get these meals without having to apply.
"We feel like there is such a stigma behind it that sometimes the kids who are eligible for free meals won't take them because they don't want their friends to know. And so we want to completely eradicate that stigma piece to it."
Students who are online this year can pick up meals from the Davenport Learning Center at 1002 West Kimberly on Tuesdays between 10 AM and 1 PM, and families with financial needs can still apply for additional food assistance.
