District News

WACO, TX (November 20, 2024)—Three-thousand-seven-hundred-twenty pounds of turkey with all the trimmings fed nearly 12,000 Waco ISD students and their families a Thanksgiving meal just in time for the holiday. 

Waco ISD Child Nutrition Services Department Director Clifford Reece said his staff looks forward to hosting the annual feasts at schools across the district. 

“We are particularly thankful this year for the incredible team that makes up the child nutrition services department,” Reece said. “Serving a Thanksgiving meal at more than a dozen different sites is no easy undertaking. But we are rewarded with the smiles and enjoyment experienced by the students, staff, and families in our district when they are able to participate.” 

The child nutrition staff also served 2,160 pounds of cornbread stuffing, 3,000 pounds of mashed potatoes, 700 pounds of cranberry sauce, and 1,800 pounds of green beans cooked with 700 pounds of bacon. 

“Students depend on us to provide nutritious meals each day, regardless of the season,” Reece said. “For our operation to be a success, it requires many hours of planning, preparing, and serving in order to reach our collective goal which is to serve phenomenal food in a positive, friendly environment.”

The child nutrition staff topped off the meal with 1,404 pies, 850 pounds of whipped topping, and 700 pounds of marshmallows. 

“We especially want to recognize our dedicated, special staff members who go well beyond the call of duty to not only arrive early to prepare and serve breakfast, but stay around all day and late into the evening to serve the community, customers, and students at dinner,” Reece said.   

Waco ISD has served Thanksgiving meals for many years. However, the dinners started two years ago and expanded this year, giving families that cannot get together at lunch, due to work obligations, the opportunity to enjoy a holiday meal in a festive environment.