JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Nearly 200 Soldiers and Airmen with the Missouri National Guard are delivering school lunches in communities across the state as part of the Guard’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In some communities Guard members are also helping prepare meals for students.
In conjunction with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Guard is providing additional personnel necessary to distribute and deliver food to families that are unable to pick up food themselves. Most of the locations served through this effort are rural school districts and face a shortage of workers.
“The bulk of our students don’t live within the city limits, so it’s a little more challenging for those families to make it in to pick up food,” said Dena Smith, Superintendent of Osage County R-II School District. “When I learned the National Guard was a possibility to help with resources, I jumped all over it. Our Guardsmen are a trusted resource, so I expect the number of families we’re serving to grow.”
Guardsmen at Osage County packed and delivered meals to 44 children across the district, while district employees staffed a pick-up location distributing 230 more meals.
“I like doing something worthwhile and helpful to everybody around me which is the reason I signed up,” said Spc. Ross Schlichting, with the 1221st Transportation Company. “I want to help my community and my state, so being able to deliver food for these kids is an honor.”
Currently, Guardsmen are scheduled to assist schools in 11 communities throughout the state, including:
- Cape Girardeau 63 – Cape Girardeau, Mo.
- Hickman Mills C-1 – Kansas City, Mo.
- KIPP – St. Louis, Mo.
- Lee A. Tolbert Community Academy – Kansas City, Mo.
- Marshall – Marshall, Mo.
- North St. Francois Co. R-I – Bonne Terre, Mo.
- Osage County R-II – Linn, Mo.
- Portageville – Portageville, Mo.
- Richland R-I – Essex, Mo.
- Warren County R-III – Warrenton, Mo.
- Wright City R-II – Wright City, Mo.
Caption Sheet 27 APR 2020
200427-Z-ZJ131-1001
Spc. Ross Schlichting (left) and Staff Sgt. Vernon Long, with the 1221st Transportation Company, Missouri National Guard, pack school lunches for delivery April 27, 2020, at Osage County R-II Schools, Linn, Missouri. Nearly 200 Guardsmen are assisting schools with distribution and delivery of lunches to students in communities across the state as part of the state response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. John E. Hillier) Osage County R-II School District:
http://www.linn.k12.mo.us/
200427-Z-ZJ131-1002
Spc. Ross Schlichting with the 1221st Transportation Company, Missouri National Guard, sorts school lunches for delivery April 27, 2020, at Osage County R-II Schools, Linn, Missouri. Nearly 200 Guardsmen are assisting schools with distribution and delivery of lunches to students in communities across the state as part of the state response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. John E. Hillier) Osage County R-II School District:
http://www.linn.k12.mo.us/
200427-Z-ZJ131-1003
Staff Sgt. Vernon Long with the 1221st Transportation Company, Missouri National Guard, packs school lunches for delivery April 27, 2020, at Osage County R-II Schools, Linn, Missouri. Nearly 200 Guardsmen are assisting schools with distribution and delivery) of lunches to students in communities across the state as part of the state response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. John E. Hillier) Osage County R-II School District:
http://www.linn.k12.mo.us/
200427-Z-ZJ131-1004
Spc. Ross Schlichting with the 1221st Transportation Company, Missouri National Guard, delivers school lunches to a family April 27, 2020, in Linn, Missouri. Nearly 200 Guardsmen are assisting schools with distribution and delivery of lunches to students in communities across the state as part of the state response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. John E. Hillier)
Story By Tech. Sgt. John Hillier, Missouri National Guard Public Affairs