The number of children in Eureka Springs and surrounding areas receiving free meals over the summer continues to grow — so much, in fact, that Eureka Springs Superintendent Bryan Pruitt said help is needed.
“We are needing volunteers to help us,” Pruitt said.
Specifically, it’s people to help deliver the meals to more than 300 kids who live in areas of Carroll County each week.
“The program is going really, really well,” Pruitt said Tuesday, June 18. “It’s a big accolade. We’re feeding about 340 kids. That’s what we’re up to now. It’s unbelievable.
“We are looking for people to help us deliver those meals.”
The summer feeding program is part of the USDA’s Seamless Summer Option and provides five meals delivered every Thursday to anyone 18 and under. The recipient does not have to be a student in the Eureka Springs School District, Pruitt said.
“The meals are free of charge for anyone 18 years old and under and they do not have to live in the district,” he said. “We are going as far as Berryville and all around.”
Answering the Call, a program of Eureka Springs United Methodist Church that helps provide free food throughout the community, is assisting with the project.
“In just one week, the number of kids being serviced by the Summer Meals Program has doubled,” according to a post on the Answering the Call’s Facebook page, which was shared on the Eureka Springs Schools’ Facebook page. “WE NEED EVEN MORE volunteer DRIVERS now!!! … Delivery is every Thursday morning beginning at 9:00. Each driver delivers to about 6 kids.
“There is NO obligation to drive every week. You simply add your name to the driver list and volunteer any week when you can.” Meals include meats, cheeses, bread, vegetables, juices, fruit and milk.
“The Federal Government is allowing rural schools, such as Eureka Springs, to provide non-congregate, free meals to children under the age of 18,” according to a post on the Eureka Springs Schools’ Facebook page. “Non-congregate means that we can provide up to 5 breakfasts and 5 lunches, each week during the summer. ANY child aged 18 and under qualifies, even if they don’t attend a public school.”
The website link to sign up to receive the meals is https://ss.ly/ OKaFdz. According to the Answering the Call Facebook page, those interested in volunteering should text 479-9811991 or email atcforeure-ka@ gmail.com.
“I think it’s a huge deal,” Pruitt said of the program. “Especially with that many people singing up to receive the meals, I think it makes a big impact.”
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING The Eureka Springs School Board had a light agenda during its monthly meeting held Monday, June 17.
Items passed included an annual resolution saying no more than $5,000 would be spent throughout the year at Inn of the Ozarks, which is owned by board member Gayla Wolfinbarger.
“Every year we have to adopt a written resolution,” Pruitt said. “State law prohibits us spending more than $5,000 and sometimes we have to use that location for prom or to cater a breakfast or something along those lines.”
The board approved the hiring of special education paraprofessionals Sandra Acevedo and Wade Hampton and also heard a report about seven teachers who received a combined $28,000 in merit pay from the state for student growth.
“They sent out the money last week so we shared that with everyone,” Pruitt said. “There was like $10 million given out by the state in teacher merit pay to educators that had three years of student growth. We had seven teachers that qualified for that.”
Receiving $5,500 merit bonuses were teachers Kyle Farrar, Eric Hearth and Shawna Miller. Receiving $3,000 were Carrie Comstock Gay, Misty Holloway and Susan Ragsdale, and receiving $2,500 was Tilenna Hill.
Pruitt also reported that a team of elementary staff will be going to Orlando, Fla., this weekend and will be presenting at the 2024 Models School Conference next week.
“We have a team of four who will be going and will present on behalf of the elementary school,” Pruitt said.
Presenting at the conference will be elementary principal Clare Haozous, teacher Danielle Purvis, instructional facilitator Chrys McClung and interventionist Carrie Freeman.
“It’s a really neat honor and recognition for our elementary school,” the superintendent said. “They will be presenting in front of from 500 to 700 people. That’s a cool deal.”
