Austin ISD is adapting quickly to serve students and families as guidance on curbing the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is updated daily. AISD staff continues to serve students and the community by making plans for meal provision, remote learning, and attending to the health and social and emotional needs of students, faculty, and staff. The Austin Ed Fund announced the AISD Crisis Support Fund – an effort to support school communities by supplementing access to food services, health programs, and remote learning. They will be closely monitoring the greatest need during this ever-changing situation and responding to new needs.
Nearly 67% or about 54,000 AISD students qualify for meal benefits and many rely on school meals during the school day. With support, AISD can leverage the existing student meal delivery system and expand to serve an estimated 4,800 meals to parents per day. The district receives funding from the USDA to support free and reduced price meals for students. With this resource, AISD will offer curbside meals at 16 school sites and delivery routes in 67 attendance zones throughout the city. Expanding AISD’s delivery system is an efficient way to reach families, many of whom may be more vulnerable to the economic impacts of our community’s response to COVID-19.
Contributions to the AISD Crisis Support Fund expand the reach of student meal service to parents and caregivers during the week, and also adds Weekend Packs so families can have food security over the weekends. Dollars will go directly to food and supplies and additional staffing and other needs. Curbside meals will allow families to take meals away from the meal sites to be consumed elsewhere, thus allowing for social distancing. AISD will not be taking donations on-site due to health concerns.
Donate online or mail your check payable to: Austin Ed Fund, c/o Austin Community Foundation (AISD Crisis Support Fund), 4315 Guadalupe Street, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78751. Donate online at Austinedfund.kimbia.com/crisissupport.
