VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The school lunch line has gone cold - but for local food service workers, the kitchen is still hot.
"We want them to know that yes, it's going to turn around. And we're all going to get through this together," said Debbie Cathey, cafeteria manager at John B. Dey Elementary School in Virginia Beach.
After schools closed in March to help stop the spread of COVID-19, Cathey and her staff searched for ways to stay connected to students. "We had no idea what we were undertaking," said Cathey. "And all of Virginia Beach food service has definitely stepped up."
The John B. Dey food service team has been working at a city feeding site to provide free meals for kids during the pandemic, and they even posted a couple of cooking videos on YouTube shortly after schools closed.
"It was some of the items that my kids absolutely love that I do here at school," said Cathey. "So, I wanted to sort of show them that yes, you can do this at home and still get that school lunch."
Lisa Mozingo, a member of Cathey's team, said it was about more than just keeping kids fed.
"Getting food to them is comforting, and we're comforting to them. And it's important," said Mozingo.
As children adapt to a new normal amid the crisis, the cafeteria staff hopes their efforts to reach out will feed students' souls until the lunch bell rings again.
"We're not gonna give up, and we're gonna be there," said Cathey.
"And it's temporary, and together we can do anything. And you have your lunch ladies there for you," said Mozingo.