Important Changes to Meal Sites & Services Will Begin Monday, June 1!
Polk County Public Schools will continue providing meals for students during the summer. A new schedule and list of meal sites will go into effect June 1 through Aug. 6.
Notable Changes:
- Our new sites will only operate on Mondays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Children will receive three breakfasts and three lunches each day so they are fed throughout the week.
- As we transition to the summer schedule, PCPS is reducing our number of school-based food distribution sites. We have limited staff available to serve at our meal sites during the summer; we have chosen the new locations to provide as much coverage and reach as many families as possible with the resources available.
- To meet the needs of our community, PCPS will continue to work with community partners to provide meals at community locations during the summer, and we are seeking additional partners.
- Anyone interested in establishing a community site should email summermeals@polk-fl.net. Community site organizers must be able to staff the locations on Mondays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
All other procedures for our meal distribution sites will remain in effect during the summer.
IMPORTANT: Children may pick up a meal at ANY OF THE LOCATIONS where meals are offered. THEY DO NOT HAVE TO ATTEND THAT SCHOOL.
A law enforcement officer (SRO/SRD) and school safety guardian will be assigned to each school that has been identified as a meal distribution site. Their presence will facilitate the safe and orderly preparation and distribution of meals during school closures. Law enforcement and school safety guardians will wear their standard uniform and will be available to assist the public with any law enforcement issues or concerns related to school safety.
Please note that PCPS does not require that children be present to receive meals. Although we prefer that children are present (to help ensure the meals are going to the right place), it is not required. If children are not present, please bring their school ID, or be ready to provide their names/schools to PCPS staff. This is necessary for record-keeping purposes.
Families are still welcome to visit any meal distribution site to receive food. This service is available to all Polk County children, including students of public, private and charter schools, and homeschool students.
Meal Sites
Hours of Operation: Mondays and Thursdays 11:00 a.m - 1:00 p.m.
School Locations
Ben Hill Griffin Elementary
Caldwell Elementary
Chain Of Lakes Elementary
Citrus Ridge Civics Academy
Combee Academy
Crystal Lake Elementary
Dr. N.E. Roberts Elementary
Dundee Elementary
Eagle Lake Elementary
Eastside Elementary
Garner Elementary
Inwood Elementary
Jesse Keen Elementary
Kathleen Elementary
Lake Gibson Middle
Lewis Elementary
McLaughlin Middle
Mulberry Middle
Palmetto Elementary
Sandhill Elementary
Scott Lake Elementary
Sleepy Hill Middle
Stephens Elementary
Wahneta Elementary
Community Locations:
Auburndale:
- Auburndale Community Center
405 Bennett St.
Bartow:
- Carver Rec Center
520 S Idlewood Ave.
- Community Christian Church
820 W Stuart St.
- Summerlin Apartments
980 E. Church St.
Davenport:
- Davenport Community Center
5 Allapaha Ave
- The Ridge Community
49473 US Hwy 27
Fort Meade:
- Christmas Tree Park
2400 Hutchins Road
Frostproof:
- Lakeview Park Community
38 King Blvd.
- Sun Ray Community Center
- West Frostproof (next to the wifi bus)
Corner of W. Frostproof Rd and US Highway 98
Haines City:
- Lamb of God Lutheran Church
901 Scenic Hwy.
- Stay Plus Inn (Daily Delivery)
33224 US 27
Highland City:
- Highland City HUB
5367 9th St. SE
Mulberry:
- 1st Baptist Church @ Bradley Junction
610 Pine St.
- 19 Regel Loop
- 3409 Kelly Ct.
- 4230 FL Highway 60
- Ryals Rd Mobile Home Park
4105 Ryals Rd,
- Turner Rd @ Upper Meadows
Tennis Courts
Lakeland, 33801:
- First United Methodist Church
72 Lake Morton Dr.
- Parker St. Ministries (Daily Pickup Available)
719 N. Massachusetts Ave.
- Rhema Word of Faith
3330 Skyview Dr.
- Sunshine Village
1234 Reynolds Rd.
Lakeland, 33813:
- St. Paul Lutheran Church
4450 Harden Blvd
Polk City Bus Stops:
- Mount Olive Rd @ Mt. Olive Baptist Church
- Cypress Trails Dr @ Bob White Dr
- Cypress Trails Dr @ Wood View Dr
Winter Haven, 33880:
- Abbey Lane Apartments
100 Evergreen Place SW
- The Mission of Winter Haven
180 East Central Avenue
- Palm Place Apartments (Daily Delivery)
2401 1st. St N
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Winter Haven, 33881:
- Public Education Partnership of Winter Haven center in Florence Villa
203 Ave R NE
Winter Haven, 33884:
- Redeemer City Church
1410 Dundee Rd.
- Lake Shipp Baptist Church
92 High St.
Citrus Connection and Polk County Public Schools Expand COLTS Program to Assist Families
Citrus Connection and Polk County Public Schools have partnered to provide students 8 years of age and older free public transportation until further notice to assist families with local travel during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Citrus Connection and PCPS have a long-standing partnership to provide transportation through the Community of Learning Transportation Services (COLTS) Program, which provides subsidized public transit for high school students. The district and Citrus Connection have agreed to open the service to children 8 years of age and older.
In the midst of the Covid-19 public health crisis, Citrus Connection will continue to provide public transit service on all routes and will follow the guidelines of the Florida Department of Transportation. If FDOT calls for the suspension or reduction in service, Citrus Connection will honor that order.
For more information about Citrus Connection services, visit www.ridecitrus.com. Additional information can be obtained by calling customer service at 863- 688-7433 or quality assurance at 863-733-4242.
