Students at several North East ISD elementary campuses are taking home extra meals for the weekend. Funding from the Texas Department of Agriculture has provided a meal pack with two breakfasts and lunches at Olmos Elementary School. For the last few weeks, every in-person learner has had the option to pick up a weekend meal pack during dismissal.
Elvira Padilla is the Cafeteria Manager at Olmos. She’s worked on the frontlines over the past year, packaging curbside meals for students and doing everything she can to make sure no one goes home hungry.
“I just love what I do,” said Padilla. “I love what I do for the children, especially in this time during the pandemic, and I’m so glad we’re able to provide meals to our families. The need is real and that’s one of the reasons we’re offering the weekend meals.”
Whether it’s a meal or a smile, serving students is a passion for Padilla. She started as a four-hour employee 16 years ago and worked her way up through training school. Now she leads the cafeteria team at Olmos. Padilla says it feels a lot like being the head of a family.
“I love what I do and I’m passionate about it,” said Padilla. “We are like a family here. We have a great team environment. We help each other and we enjoy working together. We know the kids by name and it feels so good to be a part of their life.”
Weekend meal packs are now also available at Fox Run and Montgomery elementary schools. NEISD virtual students can pick up weekend meals at curbside meal distribution events at our middle schools every Thursday.
CLICK HERE to learn more about School Nutrition Services.
