At least four local school districts are offering a vital service for children and youths for the next several months that could go a long way during this challenging time.

The Mars Area School District recently announced that free meals for children will continue to be offered through the end of the school year after being authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Butler Area School District, Karns City Area School District and Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District are offering a similar service for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. Better yet, Mars’ program provides free breakfasts and lunches to all children within the district who are age 18 and younger regardless of whether they attend school there.

Under the program, meals can be picked up once a week and reheated at home. They are considered to be well balanced and include entrees, milk and fruits and vegetables.

This is a great idea and we’re glad to see the school districts offering it to young people in their communities. It goes without saying that the past year has been a difficult one for many people in the community, from those who have contracted COVID-19 and their families to others who have lost jobs as a result of the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.

There are many things that parents have to worry about during good times and bad, but they should never have to worry about from where their children’s next meal will come.

Providing meals to district children ensures that two of their three meals during the school day — for those who need it — are accounted for and healthy. It allows for families to address other concerns and allocate money toward other household needs.

Bridget Buyna, the food service director for Mars Area School District, said providing free breakfasts and lunches for all children within the district is a first.

Then again, the COVID-19 pandemic is a first in a century.

So we’re glad to see local school districts responding to these difficult times by providing this service to local schoolchildren. It was the right move.

— NCD