With the warm welcome back to Bruins returning to Bear River’s campus a few weeks ago, the school is giving out free lunches to every student after the school day ends.

Besides giving kids knowledge at school, schools also provide lunches for the students who need a little assistance in getting lunch due to financial hardships or for kids who couldn’t plan a lunch at home. However, with the return of students to school after being shut down by COVID-19, the school is giving free lunch to everyone. The free lunches is assumed to be continuing through the distance learning period.

Principal Chris Roberts wanted to make this time easier, expressing his understanding of some students’ inability to afford lunch.

“First and foremost, we want to make this difficult time as easy on everyone as possible,” he said. “That means helping families out with this expense. Being a father of 5 kids, feeding them is one of the most important responsibilities I have and it’s not cheap. Hopefully, providing a free meal to students helps out.”

Senior Savannah Proctor has found these free lunches very helpful for when she gets off work.

“I definitely think they help everybody who takes them,” says Proctor. “They help me by giving me something to eat after I get off work at 10.”

Senior Olivia Lyman liked the lunches and considered them helpful for families.

“[It’s] one less thing for families to worry about,” she said.

Some students expressed how the free lunches help with their hunger after their school day.

“I actually think that the free lunches have been pretty nice for me, personally,” said Senior Geneva Hemmert. “I haven’t had too many, but it’s been convenient since I don’t always have food with me at the end of the school day when, I think, we’re all at our hungriest.”

“They have been helpful for me because I have long drives and don’t eat in the mornings,” said Sophom I like that the line isn’t super long and take forever like last year,” said Sophomore Genesis Olson.

“The Free Lunches help me from becoming cannibalism-hungry after school and not have to spend money at the store/fast food restaurant to eat something,” said Junior Noah Siegenthaler. “It’s free food, it may not be the tastiest food but it’s still FREE food, who would say no to that?”

Despite receiving free food, some may wonder how the food is being provided financially.

“I think the free lunches are helpful to those who don’t want to go buy food from somewhere else or can’t afford to get lunches for themselves, but there is a downside to the lunches,” continued Siegenthaler. “One, who is paying for all the food, and how does the school afford it? Two, how much of the food is actually used, and how much is wasted?” 

Principal Roberts gave the answer to this question.

“The federal government also saw that same need and has provided school districts across the country funding to help with the cost. The funding is currently good until Winter Break. However, there’s a good chance that it will be available through the end of the school year.”

Senior Macey Fowler had alos seen how the free lunches are helpful to students and included her input.

“There’s a lot of kids that grab them, and I think it is just nice to have food that you can grab because the classes during hybrid are so long and you tend to get hungry,” says Fowler. “I think the free lunches are helpful. It makes sure that all student on campus have the opportunity to have lunch regardless of financial standing.”