CLAY COUNTY – Despite being closed as a precaution to the coronavirus pandemic, some district schools still are offering breakfast and lunch to students in need.

After Clay County confirmed a 57-year-old man as the first case of coronavirus, Superintendent David Broskie announced all schools will close and remain closed until at least March 30, which includes scheduled Spring Break from March 23-30.

Students still got breakfast and lunch from March 16-20.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to minimize the impact on our students, I am pleased to share with you that we will be providing meal services to students during next week’s unscheduled school closure,” Broskie said.

Broskie said the district will provide breakfast from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and lunch from noon to 1 p.m. The meals will be prepackaged and distributed at either the parent pick-up area or bus loop of the following schools: Keystone Heights Junior and Senior High, Charles E. Bennett Elementary, W.E. Cherry Elementary, Ridgeview Elementary and Wilkinson Elementary.

Federal law prohibits a school district from offering free meals during next week’s scheduled Spring Break.

“At this time, we will not be providing meal service during the regularly scheduled Spring Break [March 23 to March 30] per federal restrictions,” Broskie said. “If this should change, we will notify our families immediately.”

All meals were prepackaged and delivered to families pulling up to the curb. The meals were prepared to be eaten off-site.

Monday’s lunch at W.E. Cherry included a corn dog, kernel corn, chips, fruit, juice and milk. The school’s cafeteria manager, Terry Melton, said more than 100 students were served on the first day.

“Thank you for your continued flexibility as we work to provide our resources and meet the needs of our community,” Broskie said.