Bringing Meals Close to Home – MCSD to transport meals throughout the district during school closure

Several MCSD buses will load up with meals and begin going to drop-off zones next week. The buses will show red flashing lights, like those pictured here, to stop traffic so students and families can pick up a meal.

(Información sobre el programa Comidas Cerca a Casa en español aquí)

The lives of many Marshalltown Schools students and families have changed drastically in the past week amid COVID-19 concerns. Because meeting the needs of our students is of the utmost importance, the MCSD Transportation and Food Service departments are teaming up to bring meals to students across the district. 

The MCSD Meals Close to Home program is an extension of the existing meal sites currently available Monday-Friday at all 10 school buildings. Beginning Monday, March 23, the Meals Close to Home program will provide six bus routes to deliver meals in Marshalltown and the MCSD areas north and south of the city. 

“The MCSD Transportation Department is fully behind this effort to bring meals closer to our students,” said MCSD Transportation Director Rex Kozak. “Our drivers and monitors want to do everything they can to help out our community during this time.” 

MCSD Food Service Director Lynn Large said the Meals Close to Home program is one of many ways the district is reaching out to families amid COVID-19 concerns. 

“I’m hoping we’ll be able to reach more children in our community by bringing meals into their neighborhoods. During this time of uncertainty, we still want students in our community to have access to nutritious food,” Large said. “We know some students just can’t be out and about right now, so bringing the meals closer to home will help provide better access for some families.”

MCSD is coordinating with the Marshalltown Police Department on the bus routes and meal drop-off locations. Families are asked to maintain social distancing while waiting for meals, and to arrive before the time the bus is set to arrive at a given location (schedule details below) in order to pick up a meal.  

During the five-minute meal drop-off period at each location, the school buses will display flashing red lights, a signal to traffic to stop so that children and families can pick up the meals safely. The signals will be the same as those used during student pick-up and drop-off under normal school circumstances. 

Meals will be served with an optional snack. Food items may include sandwiches, cereal, graham crackers, muffins, fresh fruits and vegetables, and more. 

All questions about meal drop-offs should be directed to the MCSD Food Service Department at (641) 754-1000. Take a look at the below bus schedules to find the nearest meal drop-off site:

Northeast Marshalltown: North of the railroad tracks and east of Highway 14/Third Avenue – Bus #3

Northwest Marshalltown: North of the railroad tracks and west of Highway 14/Third Avenue – Bus #46

Southeast Marshalltown: South of railroad tracks, east of Highway 14/Center Street, south to Iowa Avenue – Bus #40

Southwest Marshalltown: South of railroad tracks, west of Highway 14/Center Street, south to Iowa Avenue – Bus #14

MCSD Rural South: Route includes Timber Valley and Haverhill – Green Van #54

MCSD Rural North: Route includes Albion