As several residents are still dealing with loss of power and damage from Hurricane Helene, three Lexington County Two schools offered free lunches to youth 18 and under on Monday, Sept 30.

Pine Ridge Middle, Cayce Elementary and Riverbank Elementary staff and faculty handed out free meals from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

According to a press release, some Lexington Two families are a part of evacuations due to rising river levels and are experiencing loss of power.

Due to this, Lexington County District Two announced schools would be closed on Monday, Sept 30 and on Tuesday, Oct. 1. On Wednesday, Oct. 2, schools will operate on a two-hour delay.

“It’s about more than just providing a meal –it’s about showing up for one another in time of need,” Cayce Elementary Principal Elaine Lundy said in a press release. “Knowing that some of our families are struggling right now makes it all the more important to offer a bit of relief and connection when they need it most.”

Nearly 20 minutes later after starting the lunch services, all three schools had given out 230 meals. By 12:25 p.m., the school sites gave away nearly 500 meals to the youth.

In total, all three schools together distributed 601 lunches and 601 snacks during their two-hour lunch service.

“Helene has had such an impact not only on our own Lexington Two employees, students and their families, but on the entire community and far beyond,” Superintendent Brenda Hafner said in a press release. “I am grateful that we can play a small part in being able to feed kids in our community while families work to get things back in order. Our Sodexo team was more than willing to jump in and assist when asked, and I am very appreciate of them.”