September 2, 2020

GDOE SCHOOL MEAL DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM 

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) will be launching its school year (SY) 2020-2021 School Meal Distribution Program for students this week Friday. While the program is open to all GDOE students, the first day of distribution will provide each school with the average daily meals that would be distributed to students based on data from last school year. Meals will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and numbers for the following weeks will be adjusted up or down based on the demand at each school site.

All GDOE students are eligible for the program, regardless of their selected model of learning. Unlike the summer Grab-N-Go program, the GDOE School Meal Distribution Program is available only to students who attend GDOE schools. The program will provide one bundle of five days worth of nonperishable breakfast food items per student, and will be distributed at no cost. The program is limited to breakfast items only at this time and will utilize a drive-through operation.

The GDOE School Meal Distribution Program will begin on Friday, September 4, 2020 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and will continue every Friday thereafter, except on holidays and school breaks.  Distribution will take place at all 41 GDOE schools, and students are eligible to pick up meals at their designated school site. 

Participating families should bring identification, and school personnel will verify a child’s attendance at each school prior to distribution. GDOE and Sodexo staff will also be on hand to facilitate the distribution process. Participants are reminded to remain in their vehicles and wear a mask at all times. 

“We are excited to get this program underway for our kids and families,” GDOE Superintendent Jon Fernandez said. “Although our students may not physically be on campus, we want to continue providing meals and nonperishable food items that they can take home. This will help ensure that they are getting the meals they need and are better prepared to focus on their school work.”

"I want to thank our schools and staff for working to implement this new program in order to accommodate the health situation and the economic conditions facing families,” GDOE Superintendent Jon Fernandez said. “We anticipate serving the same number of meals that we do during the normal school year, but we ask for patience in the event that there are shortages on the first day due to demand. We will adjust our numbers accordingly in the next few weeks in order to better serve our students and families.”

For more information, please contact your child’s school directly.