Arlington Public Schools is adjusting the schedule for distributing meals to family in need, starting next week.

The school system will go from offering grab-and-go meals five days per week to three days per week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The change is being made to mitigate potential coronavirus exposure.

“Five days of meals will still be available each week, but families will no longer need to come to the meal sites daily,” APS said in an email to parents Thursday afternoon. “APS is making this schedule change based on feedback to make meal pickup more convenient for families and to limit the exposure to families and staff.  ”

More from a press release:

Beginning May 4, the grab-and-go meals, for all children aged 2-18, can be picked up at the following locations on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Barrett Elementary School — 4401 N. Henderson Rd.
• Campbell Elementary School — 737 S. Carlin Springs Rd.
• Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School — 3500 S. 23rd St.
• Hoffman-Boston Elementary School — 1415 S. Queen St.
• Key Elementary School – 2300 Key Blvd.
• Kenmore Middle School — 200 S. Carlin Springs Rd.
• Randolph Elementary School — 1306 S. Quincy St.

Families can pick up meals at the grab-and-go site closest to them.

APS reminds the community that meal pickup is safe and there are procedures in place to ensure there is no contact during meal preparation or pickup. APS Food and Nutrition Services staff are taking every precaution to provide a safe environment for families picking up meals. Staff are wearing the proper PPE (masks and gloves) and social distancing measures are in place for staff and families. Surfaces are cleaned frequently and bags of food are placed on tables for families to pick up, limiting contact.

Families who are unable to get to the meal sites can also designate a neighbor or family member to pick up food for their child(ren) by providing the name(s) and student ID number(s) for their child(ren) as well as the location they will pick up their meal from in advance. Families can either email this information to [email protected] or call 703-228-2129. The same procedure applies for families wishing to pick up meals without children present. Families need only email or call one time.