Food service workers Ashley Dowler, left, and Megan McKenzie are on the job packing meals.
Members of AFSCME Local 1846 are working with the Athens public schools Board of Education to take care of their students’ appetites for food and knowledge during the present health crisis.
Based on the results of a survey of the system’s families “our members are working to making sure our students are being well fed and will continue to be well educated with on-line learning,” said union president Monna French.
During the week Athens school food service employees prepare breakfast and lunch packages for students which are delivered by Local 1846 bus drivers and paraprofessional volunteers.
The school’s survey also revealed a shortage of internet learning devices for the now stay-at-home students. “Our members are making sure students will have school issued tablets to keep up with their studies,” said French, a student resource coordinator.
From left, Local 1846 volunteers Kelly Six, Cara France, and union president Monna French.
But a digital book is no good without internet access. “Athens County is very rural so our members will also turn internet dead-spots into to internet hot-spots by delivering and setting up board provided access equipment so kids can keep on learning,” she said.
In addition to serving her local union, French is also a Volunteer Member Organizer.