Childen Under 18 Can Pick-Up Free Breakfast, Lunch at McLaughlin through March 20

The Polk County School Board will be distributing school breakfast and lunch at 46 drive-through locations from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 17-20. The only Lake Wales site is McLaughlin Middle School at 800 S. 4th St. The school board said since the feeding sites will be closed for spring break March 23-27 they will give out extra food on March 19-20.

Children under age 18 may pick up a meal at any location; they do not have to attend that school. The students must be in the car to receive a meal and the meal must be taken off site.

A law enforcement officer and school safety guardian will be assigned to each school that has been identified as a meal distribution site. Their presence will facilitate the safe and orderly preparation and distribution of meals during school closures. Law enforcement and school safety guardians will wear their standard uniform and will be available to assist the public with any law enforcement issues or concerns related to school safety.

The list of all distribution sites can be found at https://polkschoolsfl.com/lunchlocations/

The meal distribution will not take place during spring break, March 23-27.

The Lake Wales Charter Schools are not distributing food this week, but are referring students to McLaughlin and other distribution sites. Charter school Trustee chairman Danny Gill said the charter school system is ready to respond if it gets the green light from the state to distribute food.

"Before we can serve food, we must be approved by the state and at this moment no charter school have been approved to serve meals," Gill said. "I am not sure what will be required of us to serve meals until we hear from the state. I would imagine there are stricter controls when there is greater potential to spread infection through food."

By order of Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida schools are closed through April 15. Additional information about meal pickup after spring break will be published as it is received.