When L.A. Unified closed 265 schools because of area fires, meals were sacrificed as well as academics. However, about 80% of district students are from low-income families, and many depend on schools for breakfast, lunch and — in some cases — dinner.
The nation’s second-largest school system responded by designating three San Fernando Valley schools as areas where students and area families could pick up food Friday and Saturday. Many campuses that were unaffected by the firestorms stood by through Friday to provide dinners to students who stopped by within 10 minutes of the close of school.
Though the participation was not overwhelming, word did get out for some who needed help. At Reseda High in the San Fernando Valley, workers and volunteers handed out about 100 meals Friday and 270 on Saturday.
“This was one way we could demonstrate our care for the students,” Acting Supt. Vivian Ekchian said. If families wanted to take a few extra meals, that was OK, too, she said.
