School district bus to feed needy students during spring break

BRADENTON, Fla. — The retrofitted Manatee County school bus that fed hungry students over the summer is set to hit the road again next week during spring break, serving up hot meals to hungry students at three locations.

The bus got a thorough cleaning Wednesday in preparation. Food service employees Rosemary Garza and Margarita Garnica prepared the bus and familiarized themselves with its layout. They are two of four employees being tapped to work the bus during break.

"We know the students need to be fed," said Garnica, who works at Bayshore High School during the year. "That's really the bottom line."

From Monday through Friday of spring break, the bus will stop at Lincoln Park in Palmetto, at the Bradenton Village Apartments and at Manatee Elementary School and will feed any and all children under the age of 18 who show up. Officials tried to pick areas where children would likely congregate during break.

Food district employees are planning to feed about 300 students per day, but they'll be able to accommodate more if necessary, said Jessica Anderson, the marketing and communications director for the department.