Butler Mayor Ben Smith issued a proclamation Thursday naming Aug. 13 as Butler Area School District Cafeteria Workers Day to recognize the workers for providing at least 350,000 meals to district students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 15, two days after the district closed due to the pandemic, 45 workers began packing breakfasts and lunches for district students, according to the proclamation. On March 17, school district police began delivering the meals to 1,500 students every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Packaged meals were provided daily at the Emily Brittain and Center Avenue elementary schools. On Fridays, the delivered and packaged meals contained meals for the weekend. The weekend backpack program also provided meals to students.

In addition, several organizations donated games and activities that were delivered to students to encourage family bonding during the pandemic.

The quick actions of the district's food service personnel, police, maintenance staff and paraprofessionals enriched the lives of students with meals and activities, the proclamation states.