Connellsville food service wins Silver Child Hunger Hero award after first-in-county grab‑and‑go summer meals pilot

Becky Perrigo, Child Nutrition Outreach Coordinator for Fayette County with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, presented a Silver Child Hunger Hero award to Connellsville Area School District food service staff at the Sept. 16 board meeting for the district’s work feeding children during the summer months.

Perrigo said Springfield Elementary served as a drive‑through grab‑and‑go distribution site two days a week and that on its best day more than 250 children received multiple days’ worth of breakfast and lunch. Across four district summer sites, district food staff served a total of 28,419 meals this summer—an increase of 156 meals compared with last year—despite operating two fewer sites than the prior season. Perrigo called it the district’s most successful summer in 11 years.

Perrigo told the board that grab‑and‑go sites are more accessible to families by saving time and transportation costs and that data show such sites in the food bank’s service area serve roughly 300 more meals than congregate locations. She said Connellsville was the first district in Fayette County to apply for and operate a grab‑and‑go site this summer.

Matt (identified in the presentation as a district food service representative) accepted the award on behalf of the staff. Perrigo noted the district previously earned the program’s Silver Award and presented the plaque at the meeting. Board members asked staff to stand so the board could recognize cafeteria workers present in the audience.

No board action was required. Perrigo thanked the district and encouraged continuation of the grab‑and‑go model where appropriate.