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Manteca Unified starts ‘grab and go’ meal service today as result of pandemic
summer lunch MUSD
Gran and go meals will be similar to the summer lunch program.

Thousands of students are expected to drop by Manteca Unified school sites today for the first “grab and go” prepared meals being distributed at curbside die to the coronavirus.

Manteca Unified students in need ages 2 to 18 can pick up “grab and go” meals at all comprehensive schools in the Manteca Unified district.

Pre-packaged breakfast and lunch will be served at the same time. The meals will be distributed Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through April 3. Students can go to the school nearest their home. Students must be present to receive a meal. All meals are free.

The Manteca locations are East Union High, Sierra High, Manteca High, Brock Elliott, George McParland, Golden West, Joshua Cowell, Lincoln, Manteca Day High School, New Haven, Neil Hafley, Nile Garden, Sequoia, Shasta, Stella Brockman, Veritas, and Woodward.

The Lathrop locations are Lathrop High, Lathrop Elementary, Mossdale, and Widmer.

The Weston Ranch-French Camp locations are Weston Ranch High, August Knodt, French Camp, George Komure, and Great Valley.

More than 50 percent of the school district’s 25,000 students are eligible for free and reduced meals with the largest concentration in Manteca. A large number of those who qualify have been hit with a double whammy. Before the virus hit their families were struggling to put food on the table even with one or both parents employed thanks in large part to the high cost of shelter in Manteca and those who rely on jobs that do not offer paychecks that much many who live here and commute to the Bay Area to obtain. Many of those parents are now without a job due the stay at home order.

At the same time some of those with bigger Bay Area checks are finding they are being furloughed due to the shutdown and aren’t being paid.

“This (the coronavirus pandemic) hits home about how schools are relied on in communities to provide food and even access to health care services,” noted Manteca United Public information Officer Victoria Brunn who also added schools are extensively used for community gatherings and events.