Swampscott Coronavirus: Schools Provide Meals To Citizens In Need

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott Public Schools said Monday it will expand its school lunch program to any resident during the three-week, state-ordered closure of all Massachusetts schools.

"No one will be turned away," the school system said in a message to families.

Swampscott citizens who want a grab-and-go lunch can pick them up between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on weekdays at Swampscott High School beginning Tuesday. The pickup on Monday was between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

On Sunday, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker ordered all schools closed for at least three weeks. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is working with school districts to develop distance learning programs and to make sure vital services offered by schools would still be available during the three-week closure.

Details of those plans are expected in the coming days, but already the state had received a waiver to federal rules that will allow low-income school districts to continue offering food service.