Schools scramble to feed students after coronavirus closures
FILE: An anonymous donor paid nearly $8,000 to clear all outstanding school lunch balances for the entire Ocean View School District. (Rick Loomis/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
ELK GROVE, Calif. (AP) - Millions of students across the U.S. may go without free lunches and breakfasts they receive at schools, as more districts decide to close due to the coronavirus.
Many schools are rushing to arrange grab-and-go lunch bags or set up delivery routes so America's poorest children don't go hungry while classes are out of session.
The outbreak has already temporarily closed schools in states including Ohio, Maryland and New Mexico. Cities including Los Angeles, Houston, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C., also announced public schools would shut down.
During the closure for Oakland public schools, the district's nutritional services department will be open at 12 schools throughout the city, where "Grab and Go" breakfasts and lunches will be available.
Congress may take action to waive regulations nationwide to make it easier for school meals to be distributed at more sites.