In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic vulnerability some families may be experiencing, the district is expanding its grab-and-go meal program during the school closure to include all F-M students.

Effective March 26, all F-M students are eligible to receive breakfast and lunch meals each day school is closed to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

“We understand some families are facing unprecedented financial hardship right now,” F-M Superintendent Craig J. Tice said. “We want to make sure all of our students have access to healthy meals during these uncertain times.”

Families who wish to sign up for F-M’s grab-and-go meal service should contact F-M’s Food Service Director at 315-692-1809 or [email protected]. Please indicate which school is most convenient for meal pickup and whether transportation is an issue.

Childcare available for essential employees

Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District is partnering with YMCA of Central New York’s Hal Welsh East Area location in Fayetteville to provide childcare for children of essential employees. The New York State Office of Children and Family Services and Child Care Solutions of CNY estimate that there are 12 openings in the pre-K program and about 119 openings for children from 5 to 13 years of age within the Fayetteville-Manlius community.

While the YMCA recreational facility remains closed to the public until further notice, the center’s child care program is available at no charge for employees of essential businesses, including food service and grocery store staff members, healthcare workers and first responders.

If any essential worker needs care, they should call Child Care Solutions at 315-446-1220.

The Hal Welsh East Area YMCA location in Fayetteville is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.  For those who are not considered essential employees, the cost is $20 per day, and scholarships are available for those in need.  Contact the YMCA at 315-637-2025 extension 0, for more information.