YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown City School District’s weekly food distribution will continue through July, and include fresh fruits and vegetables.

CEO Justin Jennings said the summer distribution for students and families is an extension of what the district does all year.

“Besides education, one of our main goals at YCSD is caring for our scholars,” he said.

“This summer is a little different because of the pandemic and everything that’s happening locally, nationally and around the world. What hasn’t changed, though, is that we want to do our part to take care of our scholars,” Jennings said.

Sue Paris, the district’s food service chief, said food distributions will continue 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays at the same eight sites — McGuffey, Volney, Taft, Williamson, Harding and Paul C. Bunn elementary schools, the former Princeton Junior High and East High School.

“Our YCSD Food Service workers know how important this work is, and we’re ready to keep working hard to continue food distribution going through July,” she said.

Beginning June 8, the weekly distribution at all of the locations will include a box of fresh fruits and vegetables for families. The boxes contain celery, apples, oranges, potatoes, onions and other items, subject to availability. It’s a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure people have access to fresh food during the pandemic. USDA is partnering with farmers and food distributors for the program.

A limited number of boxes will be available each week and will be distributed one per vehicle on a first-come, first-served basis, Paris said.

Monday’s food distribution will include another special treat for students, the food service chief said. Pizza Hut donated 3,000 slices of pizza.

“Most scholars love pizza, and we’re very appreciative of Pizza Hut and its Belmont Avenue and Hubbard locations for thinking of our young people and providing this special meal,” Jennings said.

Hallrich Incorporated is the locally owned management company that operates the Pizza Huts donating the pizza.

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