Families are giving thanks to members of the Jackson community for providing free lunches to feed low-income students. MPB's Ashley Norwood reports.
The grassroots sack lunch initiative began on social media and is attracting the support of many. A viral Facebook post said some Jackson Public School students were walking to Stewpot Community Services to eat a free lunch because they were hungry. Schools were closed all last week due to citywide water pressure issues.
Shakira Berry, a student at Provine High School, is hoping the water crisis will be resolved soon. Berry says her son's preschool has also been affected and they both depend on those meals.
"Everybody ready to get back in school. Not only am I a student, I have a little boy that's in school too so I depend on my meals at school, his meals that's just throughout the day. We need this school stuff back working," said Berry.
William Moaton is the guardian of seven grandchildren all enrolled in Jackson Public Schools. He says this initiative makes a difference.
"I can go in there and feed them without having to ramble around in the kitchen and try to put something together for them. It's a great blessing," said Moaten.
Allison Washington is one of the coordinators.
"I think this is long overdue. But now that we know what the problem is, this will be an ongoing reoccurring thing that we do," said Washington.
Jackson Public Schools has also responded offering one-time emergency food distributions over the weekend. Schools are off today for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and are scheduled to reopen tomorrow.
