The Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Food and Nutrition staff (FNS) was recently recognized by No Kid Hungry Maryland for its hard work and dedication to the school system during the pandemic. Since the closing of schools in March 2020 to the return of in-person learning in September 2021, CCPS FNS served over 1.1 million meals through the Summer Food Service Program.
CCPS also served over 300,000 afterschool meals contributing to Maryland’s highest percentage of students with afterschool meals, according to the Food Research and Action Report’s 2021 Afterschool Nutrition Report. Ayesha Holmes, director of No Kid Hungry MD, and Kara Panowitz, senior manager, expressed the dedication of CCPS FNS during the pandemic. “Without their [CCPS FNS] efforts, many children and families would have a hard time accessing the food they need,” Holmes and Panowitz said.
No Kid Hungry is a national campaign run by Share Our Strength, a nonprofit working to solve problems of hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world. No Kid Hungry works with schools as well as national and local agencies to implement policies surrounding afterschool, summer and breakfast meal programs that help hungry kids gain access to nutritious meals.
The immediate responses of CCPS Food and Nutrition staff members to fill in where help was needed when providing food for families during COVID reflects the driving mission of CCPS FNS. Crystal Richardson, director of CCPS food and nutrition said, “Before I even asked, when everyone else was home and protected, these staff members immediately wanted to do whatever it would take to make sure the students that depend on us each day for meals, were taken care of during the shutdown.”
Rain or snow did not prevent the Food and Nutrition staff to meet the needs of the community. “I think the hardest part of curbside was the weather. We were in extreme cold and summertime hot. We were out during rain and snow. I know that most of my staff look back on curbside and remember the good times. We would all do it again without hesitation,” said Victoria Langley, food and service manager at J.C. Parks Elementary School.
The No Kids Hungry certificate of appreciation was presented by the Board of Education of Charles County and leadership at No Kids Hungry Maryland to the CCPS Food and Nutrition department staff at the Board meeting on April 12. The certificate recognized the commitment and determination shown to provide meals to the students and families of CCPS.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,000 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high-quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).