HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- The governor ordered Virginia students out of school for the next two weeks to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Now many school districts are working to make sure students who depend on free or reduced meals, do not go hungry while out of school.
From March 16 - March 26, the Henrico County Public School Department of Family and Community Engagement, along with the Department of Equity, Diversity and Opportunities will be accepting donations for Henrico families.
Suggested breakfast donation items:
• Juice boxes
• Cereal
• Instant oatmeal
• Cereal bars or granola bars
• Toaster pastries
Suggested lunch donation items:
• Fruit cups
• Applesauce cups
• Canned pasta in sauce
• Individual snack bags (pretzels, mini graham crackers, mini cheddar crackers, chips, cookies, etc.)
• Soup
• Individual mac and cheese cups
• Peanut butter
• Jelly (no glass jars)
• Canned meat
Suggested hygiene donation items:
• Disinfectant wipes
• Hand soap
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper
• Feminine hygiene products
"I know we're in a crunch right now with week one and two, but we're really considering what does week three and four possibly look like for our parents," Adrienne Cole Johnson,HCPS’ Director of Family and Community Engagement, said. "We're in a situation we've never been in before and I think we're doing our best to respond."
Along with food and supplies, money is also being accepted. Click here to donate. Donations made for this purpose would be used to purchase supplies for families in need.
"[As of Monday] we have close to if not over $10,000 in financial donations that have come in," Johnson said.
Neighbor Sarah Vizcaino said she was able to find items unused and ready for families in need.
"The whole thing is what can I really do to help my community," Vizcaino said. "I had some snack packs, cookies, pretzels, granola bars. My heart goes out to everybody that's being affected and I hope that we can make a difference."
Donations will be accepted at New Bridge Learning Center, 5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Va. 23223: Look for “Exit Door 7”• March 16 from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• March 17 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• March 19 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• March 24 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• March 26 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.