Release from Lexington 2 School district: With many area residents still dealing with challenges in the aftermath of Helene, three Lexington School District Two school sites offered free pickup lunch meals Monday to area youth.

Cayce Elementary Principal Elaine Lundy and a few of her school colleagues handed out lunch bags with the food service team Monday, excited to see some of their school’s families.  In addition to Cayce Elementary, Pine Ridge Middle and Riverbank Elementary also distributed meals, with 601 lunches and 601 snacks, for a total of 1,202 meals distributed during the two-hour lunch service. 

Lexington Two schools and offices will be closed on Tuesday, October 1, and free meals will be offered once again from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. that day at the same three school sites to any youth in the community ages 18 and under.

“It’s about more than just providing a meal—it’s about showing up for one another in times of need,” Lundy said. “Knowing that some of our families are struggling right now makes it all the more important to offer a bit of relief and connection when they need it most.”

In the wake of Helene, Lexington Two schools and offices were closed Monday, as many district employees and families continue to be affected by power outages, home damage, as well as downed trees and power lines along neighborhood and secondary roadways. Some Lexington Two families are part of evacuations due to rising river levels. 

Following Tuesday’s closure, Lexington Two schools and offices will reopen Wednesday, October 2, on a two-hour delayed start.

In the meantime, Superintendent Dr. Brenda Hafner said the district will do what it can to help feed kids.

“Helene has had such an impact not only on our own Lexington Two employees, students and their families, but on the entire community and far beyond,” Dr. Hafner said.  “I am grateful that we can play a small part in being able to feed kids in our community while families work to get things back in order. Our Sodexo team was more than willing to jump in and assist when asked, and I am very appreciative of them.”