Galen Kusic, Editor

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, schools were scrambling to keep lunch and breakfast available to students through pick up options at one school site. While some students were still able to utilize this valuable resource, some did not have transportation or means to get there, leaving much of the food to go to waste each day.

For now, the program remains free to all students. Robert Semple Elementary parents Tawnya Cassidy and Diederich Burton saw the need for students to receive these important meals and stepped up to serve as delivery drivers to help, forming the Facebook group Benicia Schools Volunteer Food Delivery Services.

The group currently has seven drivers, delivering food to students from all schools in Benicia Unified School District.

“In our current trying times we are standing together as neighbor’s to help any families with children in the Benicia school system get the food they need,” said Cassidy. “We need volunteers for the other schools in the district, so if you can, please join us.”

Cassidy realizes that school lunch workers fear that they will lose their jobs if these meals are not served to enough students, and that students may go hungry if meals cannot be delivered to them in the pandemic.

She emphasized the importance of following all CDC guidelines to keep kids and drivers safe. The small group of volunteers currently pick up the food at the school and deliver it to those that have signed up for the program. Currently, there are 14 different households being delivered to after just three days.

Cassidy is focused on getting the word out to help those in need. A menu is available on the Facebook group page, and she is currently designing an app to make it even easier to sign up for the free meal delivery service.

“We are looking to help families and let families know that the service is available to all that need it,” said Cassidy. “We need some help.”

To receive this voluntary service, please Email Tawnya Cassidy at tawnya.cassidy@gmail.com with your name, student ID number and address and she will forward it to the school foods administrator.

“Let’s all help each other get through this as a community,” said Cassidy.

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