With schools around the country closed due to the Coronavirus, the Mehlville School District has had to be creative so children who would usually rely on school-provided meals do not have to go hungry. 

With the Mehlville Schools District’s new Grab and Go meal service anyone 18 or younger living in the Mehlville School District can attend one of seven pick up locations on Mondays and Thursdays between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to receive a bag meal with breakfast and lunch items. On Mondays, Grab and Go meals will include three breakfasts and three lunches, and on Thursdays, they will include two breakfasts and two lunches. Pick up locations are: 

Serving from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Mehlville High School, 3200 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, MO, 63125
• Oakville High School, 5557 Milburn Road, St. Louis, MO, 63129
• Bierbaum Elementary School, 2050 Union Road, St. Louis, MO, 63125  

Serving from 11 a.m. to noon 

• Lemay 1 and Lemay 2, Adworth Drive and Barracksview Drive
• The Vineyards, Daiquiri Lane, near tennis court area 

Serving from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m.

• Jefferson Townhomes, Tuckahoe Drive and Poplar Forest
• Casa Brazilia, Casa Brazilia Drive

 According to Mrs. Katie Gegg, Director of School Food and Nutrition for the Mehlville School District, “The safety of our staff members as well as those we are preparing meals for, is our top priority. Preparing meals at the high schools where there is sufficient space allows staff members to spread out (6 feet or more). We require all staff members to wear masks and gloves. Hand washing has always been a priority with preparing food.” 

Keeping everyone involved safe is a priority of the Mehlville School District. When picking up Grab and Go meals the school district asks that social distancing be respected. As well, the district prefers that the children receiving the lunches arrive in a car and remain in the car in meal pick up lines. Any child present will receive a meal, but young children should be supervised if possible.  

Since the first day of Grab and Go meals on March 23, about 15,000 breakfasts and lunches have been served, averaging about 700 per day. Mehlville School District will continue to provide meals until June 30. 

“Families are very appreciative for the support during this challenging time,” said Mrs. Gegg.

Being given a bag with things like Pop-Tarts, cereal bars, fresh fruit, Goldfish, sandwiches, Lunchables, and juice boxes has been a glimmer of hope for some families in Oakville.

“It makes me feel really good,” said Mrs. Michelle Kovacich, Blades Elementary Food Service Manager. “You see how appreciative the parents are.”

Making and distributing meals is hard work, but rewarding for everyone involved. There is a crew of people managing, preparing food, and passing the food out. The Mehlville School District is offering a service to help and serve the people of the Mehlville School District. 

“I would like to thank all the staff members who have helped ensure our families continue to have meals during the school closure,” said Mrs. Gegg. “It has definitely been a team effort between SFNS, Transportation, Facilities, Central Office Administrators, and building Principals and staff members. We are all in this together!”