Konawa, Pauls Valley Public Schools to Offer Free Third Meal to Students

KONAWA, Okla. (KOKH) — We’re digging into the policies and resources you need to know about, as districts reopen for the new school year.

Some districts say they will start serving their students three meals a day.

One superintendent is calling the last offering a “Lunchable on steroids.”

Many districts in the southeast part of the state will offer this, including Konawa Public Schools (KPS).

“We have kids who literally go home at night and they don’t have anything to eat,” Superintendent Karis Reavis said. “That’s how big it is for us to make sure that every student has something to eat at the end of the day, at least to hold them over until breakfast the next morning.”

Supt. Reavis says in less than two weeks, the 545 students at KPS will start receiving a free 3rd meal before going home.

“We’re finally getting through the process of doing this, and being able to do it,” Child Nutrition Director Jawanna Moore said. “I am thrilled to death. The kids are so excited.”

Moore says a variety of options will be available, so kids don’t get tired of eating the same thing over and over again.

“You got your meat, cheese, your whole grains, your fruit and then we’ll supply the milk for it.”

KPS will receive the meals from KTC Distribution, who offers this to many other districts in the state, while also partnering with a nonprofit called Feed the Kids.

“We feel like KTC is going to have another good year helping schools feed kids,” Board member David Lassiter said. “Currently, we have 56 schools that use our product.”

Each participating district received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Child and Adult Care Food program.

“Now being able to add this third meal for these kids, that to me is a blessing in itself,” Moore said.

Konawa will start serving that third meal on Monday, August 19.

Pauls Valley students will also be offered these free 3rd meals.

Superintendent Brett Knight says he’s been hearing positive feedback from his staff about the benefits the extra food will provide the kids.

“Our coaches are even really in favor of this for our athletes,” Supt. Knight said. “When they finish practice, they’re going to be able to get a high protein meal. All the way from our elementary kids, who are just developing, all the way up to our high school kids, who are just finishing their workouts, this is a big deal just to be able to provide them with a good source of a nutritious meal. Something to finish the day in a positive way.”

Knight says this program is another step towards improving the options for kids, and ensuring they’re fed throughout the day.