How to get free meals for children while Metro Nashville Public Schools are closed

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a pandemic. Reported illnesses range from very mild to severe, including death. Agencies anticipate widespread transmission will occur in the U.S. in coming months and recommend social distancing among other measures to slow the spread.  Call your doctor and stay home if you are sick. Get more information at CDC.gov/coronavirus or contact the Tennessee Department of Health coronavirus information line at 877-857-2945 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT daily.

Children and families who rely on food provided by Metro Nashville Public Schools during the week can still access those services while schools are closed in response to the coronavirus outbreak in Nashville. 

“The societal changes that are occurring in response to COVID-19 make it all the more important that we find ways to provide for the nutritional needs of the children of Nashville,” said Director of Schools Dr. Adrienne Battle in a release. “We are so grateful to the community partners who are stepping up in this time of need, and we’ll be exploring as many options as possible to safely provide for the students and families of MNPS.”

MNPS plans to be closed until at least April 3. 

Related:Nashville public schools closed through early April to combat the spread of coronavirus

Children under 18, regardless of school status, can receive meals at any MNPS location offering the service. 

On Wednesday, food boxes are available to families in Nashville. Starting Monday, free breakfast and lunch will be available for school-aged children on weekdays until further notice. 

Where to get meals on Wednesday

Metro Schools will be distributing Second Harvest food boxes to families, in addition to food bags provided by The Bridge Ministry, on March 18, from 2-5 p.m. as long as supplies last at the following locations: 

• Antioch: High School: 1900 Hobson Pike, Antioch, TN 37013
• Buena Vista Elementary School: 1531 9th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208 
• Cole Elementary School: 5060 Colemont Dr, Antioch, TN 37013 
• Donelson Middle School: 110 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Nashville, TN 37214 
• Haywood Elementary School: 3790 Turley Drive, Nashville, TN 37211
• Inglewood Elementary School: 1700 Riverside Dr, Nashville, TN 37216
• J.E. Moss Elementary School: 4701 Bowfield Dr, Antioch, TN 37013
• Jere Baxter Middle School: 350 Hart Ln, Nashville, TN 37207
• Napier Elementary School: 67 Fairfield Ave, Nashville, TN 37210

Tennessee has been granted a federal nutrition waiver that allows the state to use school sites to prepare food during the unexpected closures, Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn confirmed this week. 

The waiver allows the state to put into place food distribution methods such as grab-and-go or bus stop delivery, and many school districts in the region are able to provide similar services. 

Beginning March 23, meals will be bagged or boxed and available in a drive-through setup to limit crowds and possible exposure to COVID-19.

The meals will be cold or room temperature to allow for transportation.

Meals will be available to anyone under 18, regardless of their school status. The child must be present to collect the meals, based on federal law.

Where to get meals starting March 23

Meals will be prepared at Cane Ridge High School, John Overton High School, and Haynes Middle School and will be delivered to the following locations for pickup between 8- 9 a.m. for breakfast and 12-1:30 p.m. for lunch:

• Apollo Middle School: 631 Richards Rd, Antioch, TN 37013
• Buena Vista Elementary School: 1531 9th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208
• Cole Elementary School: 5060 Colemont Dr, Antioch, TN 37013
• DuPont Elementary School: 1311 9th St, Old Hickory, TN 37138
• Glencliff High School: 160 Antioch Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
• H.G. Hill Middle School: 150 Davidson Rd, Nashville, TN 37205
• I.T. Creswell Middle School: 3500 John Mallette Dr, Nashville, TN 37218
• Lakeview Elementary School: 455 Rural Hill Rd, Nashville, TN 37217
• Madison Middle School: 300 W Old Hickory Blvd, Madison, TN 37115
• McKissack Middle School: 915 38th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209
• Napier Elementary School: 67 Fairfield Ave, Nashville, TN 37210
• Rose Park Middle School: 1025 9th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
• Shwab Elementary School: 1500 Dickerson Pike, Nashville, TN 37207
• Stratford STEM Magnet High School: 1800 Stratford Ave, Nashville, TN 37216
• Two Rivers Middle School: 2991 McGavock Pk, Nashville, TN 37214

For more information, visit www.mnps.org/health. 

Reach reporter Mariah Timms at mtimms@tennessean.com or 615-259-8344 and on Twitter @MariahTimms.