The Hope Public Schools is currently providing free breakfast/lunch “grab and go” meals to children ages 18 and under at eight sites in Hope and Hempstead County in response to the mandated closure of public schools in Arkansas as a result of the COVID-19 illness. – Ken McLemore/Hope Public Schools

HOPE – The Hope Public Schools has provided more than 600 free breakfast and lunch “grab and go” meals to children in Hempstead County since Tuesday as the school district responds to the closure of Arkansas public schools by the state.

HPS Nutrition Director Deanna Gilbert said Wednesday that 628 meals had been distributed to children ages 18 and under. Gilbert said 268 breakfast/lunch combinations were distributed Tuesday and 360 on Wednesday.

One change in the program will remove the location in Old Washington State Park for lack of response, Gilbert said.

“We are noticing some differences in some locations over others, and we may make some changes to better reach the community,” Gilbert said. “Any changes in locations will be announced by the district office.”

The meals are prepared by the district’s food services vendor, Aramark Food Services, and distributed in a “drive through” format at eight locations in Hope and Hempstead County.

Current sites and times for pickup of meals include the MAC Center entrance at Hope High School, 1701 S. Main St., 12-1 p.m.; Hope Fair Park, 800 S. Mockingbird Lane, 12:30-1 p.m.; Hope Academy of Public Service bus line, 601 W. Sixth St., 12 -1 p.m.; Clinton Primary School bus line, 601 Lakeshore Dr.,12-1 p.m.; Calvary Baptist Church parking lot, 1301 W. Ave. B, 12-12:30 p.m.; Hotrod Barber Shop parking lot, 1301 N. Hazel St.,12:30 – 1 p.m.; and, Fulton-McNab City Park in Fulton, 3630 Hwy. 355, 12 – 12:30 p.m.

Meals will be available Monday through Friday through March 27. Meals will include lunch for each day and breakfast for the following day.