City Expected to Pay $95,000 to Keep Feeding Local Students

The City Council on Monday is expected to vote on appropriating $95,200 to the Pasadena Unified School District’s (PUSD) Grab and Go meals program.

The money would be used to pay for 5,600 lunches per weekend at a cost of $23,800 each weekend for four weeks.

School started today, but city staff has been waiting to see how the school district would provide meals for its students. Last week, PUSD officials informed city staff that when school commences they will provide breakfast and lunch for students Monday through Friday on each school campus.

The city began funding the PUSD weekend Grab and Go lunch program on March 28.

Initial funding secured the program for four weeks, but the council extended the funding to provide weekend lunches through Aug.16. Previously the council committed to run the  weekend lunch program as long as PUSD provided weekday Grab and Go meals.

Demand for the meals has decreased over the past few months.

The city previously funded 6,200 lunches per weekend. Lately, the need has been for approximately 5,600 lunches per weekend.

Lunches are being provided by the Pasadena Center Operating Co.’s caterer Center Plate and the Rose Bowl Operating Co.’s caterer Levy. At the conclusion of four weeks, staff will return to council and seek guidance concerning continuation of the program.

Due to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order in mid-March to close schools to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the PUSD has distributed thousands of pre-packaged meals on weekdays at school sites across the city.

Soon after the start of the program, the city partnered with the school district to expand meal service to weekends for students and their families.

The meals are important to some local families struggling to make ends meet.

Meals are distributed at PUSD sites from 9 to 11 a.m. seven days a week. 

“I’m happy the city has come alongside the district to support our students and families in this important time of need,” said Pasadena Board of Education Member Michelle Richardson Bailey.