(MSC News)--A local food bank is launching a new program to make sure that children don’t go hungry. 

The launch of the “Early Out” initiative by Second Harvest Community Food Bank comes as students work from home due to the closing of schools because of the coronavirus threat.  Meals will be provided at five locations, with one in Doniphan County, one in Brown County, and three in Buchanan County, Missouri. 

According to a release, all five sites will start providing the service on March 24.  The Buchanan County locations are currently planned to run until further notice, while the Kansas locations will end on May 21st.  Free lunches will be provided to all youth up to the age of 18. 

The Doniphan County distributions will take place on the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska reservation, located at 3345 Thrasher Road, in White Cloud, while the Brown County location will be the Horton Kickapoo Boys and Girls Club, located at 883 112th Drive.  The lunches at both locations will be distributed from 11:30 until 1:00 from March 24 through May 21. 

Those same times will apply for the Buchanan County lunch distribution, set to happen at three sites in Saint Joseph. 

The Saint Joseph, Missouri-based Second Harvest partners with more than 50 agencies in both Northeast Kansas and Northwest Missouri to feed those in need.

Press Release from the Second Harvest Community Food Bank:

Due to the COVID-19 Panademic, Second Harvest Community Food Bank has partnered with community organizations within their 19-county service area to provide meals to ALL youth within our communities (Up to 18). Below you will find a list of site times and locations; TOGETHER we will get through this!

For more information on the pandemic, click here .

Kansas Site Locations

Missouri Site Locations