Press Release Details
SFUSD Begins Providing Meals During School Closure
San Francisco (March 17, 2020) - Today, SFUSD will open its first meal distribution sites so students may continue to access free meals while schools are closed. Providing meals while schools are closed for three weeks is estimated to cost SFUSD $314,000 above and beyond federal reimbursements for school meals.
The district and SFUSD’s non-profit partner Spark* SF Public Schools are asking community members to make tax-deductible monetary contributions in support of the district’s response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The district’s immediate goals are to provide students with meals; to clean and prepare school site environments for when students return; and to expand technology infrastructure to ensure every student has access to a device they can access for learning while schools are closed.
“We have been deeply moved by the outpouring of support from our community during this time,” said SF Board of Education President Mark Sanchez. “There are many people who want to help, and we want them to know how they can support our community through our public schools and what that will go towards.”
“We are anticipating numerous additional costs related to COVID-19, some of which will not be covered by state and local funding,” said SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews. “At the same time we are preparing to reopen, we are working together to provide essential services to our students, families and staff while schools are closed.”
Those interested in helping to provide emergency funding for student nutrition, school cleaning, and remote learning/digital access may direct donations to SFUSD’s nonprofit partner, Spark* SF Public Schools at sparksfpublicschools.org/donate or text “4SFUSD” to 44321.