School bus delivers free meals to hundreds of children during spring break

BRADENTON, Fla. (FOX 13) - Several employees with the Manatee County School District are making sure every child gets fed, even when school is out for spring break.

Skye Grundy is the school district's nutrition specialist. She said that when school is out, some children still need help.

"Kids are hungry and that is a very very sad thing. In our county we have hungry children, children that need food," she said.

While most school employees will be enjoying time off during spring break, Grundy and her team will travel from stop to stop, feeding kids. 

"During these break times if they are missing meals, if they are missing food, they’re becoming malnourished. They have lost energy and when they come back to school they aren’t ready to just get back into it," said Grundy. 

By the time their five-stop route is finished each day, they estimate they will have fed more than 500 children.

"It's become like family. When we go in there, they know we are coming. They come to us. We get to know them," Grundy said. "It's all the kids' favorites that we serve." 

Community members are grateful. The Manatee County NAACP office is just steps away from one of the stops. President Rodney Jones said he sees the kids gather for their meal.

"Every little bit helps, so if we can get some extra meals I think that’s what it’s all about," Jones saud,

When they're finished, kids walk away with a full stomach  -- and a feeling that someone is there to help. 

"It's so much fun to see them and their smiling faces," Grundyn said. 

Free meals will be available for kids 18 years and younger from March 25 to March 29th. 

There will be two buses in action providing meals to children in the area.

North Locations: 
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Turner Chapel, 317 11th St West, Palmetto

12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Lincoln Park, 501 17th St East, Palmetto

South Locations:
11:00 am - 11:30 a.m.: Southeast High School, 1200 37th Avenue East, Bradenton
12:00 p.m.-12:30 p.m.: Bradenton Village Apartments, 1302 3rd Street West, Bradenton
1:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.: City Stop, 619 11th Avenue East, Bradenton

For more information visit the school district's website, or click here to check out their menu.