Every day after school Battle High School serves free dinners until 4:30. To help high school students that have after-school activities or may not have time or resources to get the food at home. Shanice Johnson, a Battle High school cafeteria worker, spends time throughout her day preparing student dinners and making sure that there is enough food for each student. 

“Throughout the day of my shift, about a seven and a half hour shift,” Johnson said, “ it normally takes throughout the day to prepare because I do other things in between just serving food and prepping the food.”

At 4:05 the rush begins. On September 5th, five or six students excited for free food ran to the cafeteria to quickly pick up the on-the-go paper bags with the food inside. After each student grabs their food, they make their way to their bus, car, or after-school activity.  Johnson estimated over 200 students go through the line in less than 15 minutes. 

“I love seeing how excited they get when they get the free food, especially when there’s chips in the bag. They go crazy over it.” Johnson said, “I notice a lot of them come through like ‘Man I was hungry, can’t wait for this!’ It makes me happy to see that.”

Cafeteria staff keep track of the amount of time students go through the line, amount of food being taken, and how many students go through every day to ensure there is enough food for all students before each activity starts or buses leave. Behind the crowded lunch room and groups of people trying to make their way through the line, Battle cafeteria workers not only keep track of Battle High School students and food usage, but truly show care for all students regardless of age. 

“When I found out free after school dinners was just at the high schools, I was kind of surprised because I feel like if they had younger siblings or just siblings, and they’re struggling, that means their siblings are struggling, too.” Johnson said, “ I feel like it should definitely be throughout more schools and throughout the whole state would be great. You never know who’s going home and hungry.”

This tradition began in 2016. According to an article published by KOMU news, a large number of students complained about being hungry and was brought to teachers’ attention. Teachers began to buy snacks for their students to help them focus more in class. They brought the issue to administration that students go to class hungry and leave school hungry. After some thought administration decided the solution was to start implementing free dinners open to all students. Initially, dinners were available at  Battle, Hickman, and Rock Bridge High Schools.

Freshman Tavianna Fryhling decided to go through the line and attend the school dinners with a few of her friends. 

“I started going because my friends were like ‘Hey, they have school dinners’
And I was like, I want to see what that’s about.” Fryhling said, “I feel like it could have a good impact on things for different students.”

After her classes, Sophomores Alaya Sauders, attends the school dinners to accompany her friends and get a nice meal. Saunders hopes to join after-school activities and believes that the dinners are great for all students from those who need a little pick-me-up to those who may get home late in the afternoon. 

“I think the CPS district should do it after school for all schools.” Saunders said, “It’s good for kids in clubs too.”