US drive-throughs feed students after schools close

To feed kids two meals a day is a stress on some parents not just in developing countries, but also in parts of the world like the United States.

The closure of schools because of the coronavirus - means an end to school meals.

So in Los Angeles the public school system has stepped in since Wednesday (March 18).

It's set up drive throughs, for parents to pick up free food.

Lissette Bonilla is a mother of two in the neighborhood of Boyle Heights.

She says pressure on parents is growing.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LISETTE BONILLA, MOTHER OF TWO STUDENTS, SAYING:

"This happened from one day to the other, you can say, I'm not prepared and it makes you think and it's scary because we don't know how long it's going to last and it will affect us in a big way."

This "grab-and-go" for parents is also backed by the Red Cross and American Central Kitchens volunteers.

Pull in, open the trunk, get lunch and breakfast and go.

Inside the bags are cereal, fruit and a sandwich.

Mother of three Maria Jorge says it's a life saver.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MARIA JORGE, MOTHER OF THREE STUDENTS, SAYING:

"I'm cutting my spending as much as possible because I have to pay rent, bills and with everything that's going on."

The virus lockdown has affected many people's jobs in the city, and cut their income significantly.

State lawmaker Miguel Padilla said the drive throughs are open to all people - regardless of immigration status.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MIGUEL PADILLA, CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY MEMBER, SAYING:

"Anyone who's hungry, come, you'll get two meals and here they're not asking you if you have documents or not. It's extremely important for people to know that this is not going to complicate their immigration status."

No questions asked, just an effort to make sure kids have the fuel to keep learning - at a distance.