The Outreach Fund of Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Bohannon, recently assisted the Mathews School Nutrition Program with a $1,000 donation.

According to Division Cafeteria Manager Nelda Gibbs, the donation will be used to assist the Nutrition Program to continue to provide Mathews County underprivileged children with breakfast and lunch. Due to the unexpected and sudden end of the school year in March, the program has seen a rise in need and a loss of income.

Gibbs stated that cafeteria staff members prepare, package and provide approximately 600 meals per day to an average of 300 students. “During this pandemic all children are eligible for these meals; however, most of the children receiving them are participants in our free/reduced meal program,” Gibbs said. “If there are under school age children in the home they are also provided a meal.”

Although the “official” program ended June 5, Gibbs and other school staff will continue to be in contact with many of these stude...