MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The spread of the coronavirus around the world has forced many people to change their routines. Schools, offices and restaurants have either closed or restructured the way they operate in response to the virus. The changes have left many families in a lurch as they balance the needs of work, school and childcare.
Local school districts that serve Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton's children stepped up to the plate to help restore some normalcy for military students and lend a helping hand to families dealing with the changes.
“Some of these kids are sent home and are used to getting their lunches and breakfast at school,” said Shannon Clifton, a staff member at San Onofre Elementary School. “We are out here giving them food to help the families out.”
The Fallbrook Union Elementary School District and Oceanside School District are providing the bagged meals for military students on base while schools are shut down in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Each bag contains fruits, vegetables, meat, milk, and juice.
“They have everything a lunch would have,” said Lisa Farabee, a staff member at San Onofre Elementary School. “It’s a variety of things but its all good.”
The school districts will continue to give out breakfast and lunch on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. People under the age of 18 can come out and grab food during those days from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“It’s done a lot of good and it makes me feel awesome to be out here,” said Clifton. "We will continue to be out here till they tell us to leave.”