School districts across the region are adapting to help ensure local K-12 students are being fed during the statewide school closures. Bagged lunches are being distributed to students, parents and families as needed.
But in Arlington, they’re not the only ones ready to prepare daily lunch.
Local chef David Guas of Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery won’t be serving up many beignets this week, and is instead partnering with Real Food for Kids, a nonprofit committed to collaborating with local businesses to fight childhood obesity and hunger.
Starting Tuesday, March 17, Guas and Real Food for Kids will be serving free vegetarian grab-and-go meals from 10 a.m. to noon at Bayou Bakery, located at 1515 North Courthouse Road, Arlington, to everyone who needs them, no questions asked.
The menu starts with red beans and rice, a New Orleans classic prepared by Guas, who has experience in raising funds and serving his community—after Hurricane Katrina destroyed his family’s home (and much of the city), he began raising relief funds through food sales.
Each meal following will also be plant-based to align with dietary and religious restrictions, and will be served every weekday, as long as school closures last. At the time of publication, Gov. Ralph Northam has closed all Virginia public schools through Friday, March 27, and the situation will be re-evaluated as the end date approaches.
Bayou Bakery is taking all necessary steps recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and will update all local residents on Facebook if it is no longer able to serve the community.
Due to the recent rise of COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases in the DMV, we are informing readers about need-to-know updates across the region, as well as across the globe. If you are looking for national updates, local school coverage and more, please visit our dedicated coronavirus coverage here.
