State grant funds school food truck
A new food truck will soon serve children in need across Anderson County Schools during breaks.
A grant from the state of Tennessee for $194,000 will help pay for the truck.
The priority will be serving the areas with the highest food insecurity, but the school system plans to serve the whole district, Director of Student Services Paula Sellers said.
She said these highest food insecurity areas were around the Norwood, Rocky Top and Briceville areas.
Sellers plans to use it during vacation times or weather days, letting people know through social media where the truck will be.
She said the contractor, JP Food Trucks would take 16 weeks to build the truck “from the ground up” but delays can occur due to parts and materials. She also was not certain when the truck could begin delivering meals but hoped it could be by the start of school next year.
“The goal is to serve Anderson County Schools, but I won’t turn anyone away,” she said.
The aim is to serve hot food, but the meals may vary depending on the donations the school system receives.
“If they don’t have the things that they need in their lives such as food, a place to stay, clothing, sometimes that’s a barrier to getting to school and getting ready to learn,” Sellers told the Anderson County Board of Education.
“Families are really struggling,” she said. “These are working families. They hold a job. They just are struggling to make ends meet.”
