Here’s how Harris, Muscogee students can get free meals through school district

A federally funded waiver will allow school-age children in Harris and Muscogee counties to receive free meals through their school district.

The USDA announced Thursday it will extend the Seamless Summer Option, a federally funded program that provides free meals to children ages 18 and younger during the summer, according to press releases from the Harris County and Muscogee County school districts.

Students 18 years and younger are eligible for the program, which will continue through Dec. 2020 or until federal funding runs out.

“It is our mission to ensure no child goes hungry in our community if we can help them,” Shelia Baker, Harris County School District assistant superintendent of support services, said in the press release.

Here are the details for the food program by county.

Harris County

Students attending school in-person and virtually can take part in the program, as well as children not currently enrolled in school. According to the release, registration or pre-approval is not needed.

Students attending classes on-campus will use their lunch number to receive one free breakfast and lunch each day.

For students attending classes virtually:

• Order the meals online by visiting www.harris.k12.ga.us.
• Click on “Virtual Student Meal Order Form.” Orders must be submitted by 8 a.m. on Fridays for meals the following week.
• Meal pickup is on Mondays at the selected school.
• For elementary schools, pickup is from 8:30-9 a.m. For Creekside, Harris County Carver Middle School and Harris County High School, pickup is from 9-10 a.m.

For non-Harris County School District children:

• Order meals online at www.harris.k12.ga.us.
• Click on the “HC Community Meal Order Form.” Orders must be submitted by 8 a.m. on Fridays for meals the following week.
• Meal pickup is on Mondays at the selected school.
• For elementary schools, pickup is from 8:30-9 a.m. For Creekside, Harris County Carver Middle School and Harris County High School, pickup is from 9-10 a.m.
  
  

District officials are still encouraging students who qualify for free and reduced meals to complete the application, according to the release.

Muscogee County

In Muscogee County, the free food program will begin Sept. 14, according to release from the school district.

Breakfast and lunch will be available for pickup for all children, regardless of in-person or virtual instruction. The meal pickups will take place each Monday through Friday from 10:30-11:15 a.m., at all district school sites.

Students taking classes virtually will pick up meals, while in-person students will get their meals on site according to each school’s specified meal schedules.

This story was originally published September 10, 2020 at 4:44 PM.