In light of the COVID-19 school closures, Catasauqua Area School District personnel were concerned about their students.

It has been reported more than half the district’s students are on free or reduced-price lunches. Many students rely on school meals for their nutrition for the day.

To help combat these concerns, Catasauqua Community Cares Program stepped up and prepared to supply local children with food for the closure. In a March 16 release, CASD Superintendent of Schools Robert Spengler asked anyone needing food to reach out to C3P to schedule a pickup time.

“Please know that we are planning carefully and cautiously regarding meal preparation and delivery in order to not exacerbate the spread of germs and the coronavirus, following all proper food handling guidelines,” Spengler said.

The meal distribution occurred March 18 at Sheckler Elementary School. Several school district personnel including Sheckler Elementary Principal Eric Dauberman, Catasauqua Middle School Principal Melissa Inselmann, school resource officers Jenna Potak and Pat Best, Spengler, CASD Director of Student Activities Thomas Moll and Director of Food Service Dan Muthersbaugh.

In a March 18 Facebook post, Spengler thanked Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church for its assistance in working with C3P to distribute more than 70 meal packages to families in the district.

He reported the district is partnering with several local organizations and businesses to distribute Grab N Go bags with breakfast and lunch on a daily basis beginning March 23. Pickup times will be 10:30 a.m.-noon Monday through Friday in the front of Sheckler. No preregistration is necessary, and walk-ups will be accommodated.

According to Spengler’s post, it is requested to have the children in the vehicle if possible. Administration also asks participants to have clean vehicle trunks.

Spengler reported during the first day of the Grab N Go service - March 23 - there were nearly 150 meals served.

Keep an eye on the district’s website, cattysd.org, for future updates.