A southern Piatt County community school district is offering its community free meals, regardless of their affiliation with the school system.

Bement Schools filed a waiver to feed every child in their school district regardless if they attend a school or not. Superintendent Dr. Shiela Greenwood explains families need to register the week before the meals being distributed and stresses these are free meals in a district with 50-percent of students on free or reduced lunches.

The meals are prepackaged healthy and nutritious meals. Dr. Greenwood indicates parents can pick up meals on Mondays and need to get registered for meals the week before pickups. 

Call the school district at 217-678-4200 and choose extension 1 for high school students or 2 for middle school or younger students. 

Pickups are Monday afternoons from 2:15 pm to 3 pm by the high school cafeteria with five meals for breakfast and lunches. 

Dr. Greenwood indicates there are no eligibility guidelines and students do not have to attend Bement schools to take advantage of the program