BOONE, N.C. — Close to 10,000 free meals and nearly 300 cases of water have been delivered to Appalachian State University students and some community members in isolation or quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For meals, each delivery includes dinner, breakfast and lunch, as well as drinks for each meal. As of Nov. 24, a total of 9,870 meals and 289 cases of water have been delivered. Deliveries have been made daily since March.

"Throughout the year, and especially during this season of giving and gratitude, I am inspired by how the Appalachian Community works to help those on our campus and in our local community," said App State Chancellor Sheri Everts.

The meals, prepared and packaged by App State’s Campus Dining, are delivered by staff in the university’s Department of Parking and Transportation. Meals for community members were provided at the request of local public health.

Campus Dining Director Pam Cline said, “Supporting the nutritional needs of our students is one of the primary purposes of Campus Dining. It is extremely important during the pandemic. When our students are in isolation, a warm meal and comforting food can give a needed boost.”

All coordination for meal orders and delivery is centrally managed through the Emergency Operations Center staffed by members of App State’s Department of Environmental Health, Safety, and Emergency Management (EHS&EM), using software designed specifically for crisis management and emergency response.

According to EHS&EM Director Jason Marshburn, the process is as follows:

• A support form is completed for each person needing meals, which involves a case manager speaking with each individual to identify their dietary needs, restrictions and preferences. Case managers include team members in App State’s Office of the Dean of Students and EHS&EM.
• Once submitted, a request for support is automatically generated.
• Campus Dining is informed of meal size, as well as dietary preferences and restrictions.
• Meals are prepared and packaged.
• Delivery information is provided to Parking and Transportation.

According to Marshburn, information is updated multiple times each day. Each morning, a daily order update is shared with Campus Dining and Parking and Transportation to prepare for evening deliveries. To protect privacy, names are not shared.

Hygiene products, medication and other necessities are also delivered as needed.

Parking and Transportation Director Barry Sauls said delivering the meals each day has been rewarding. “It’s a good feeling knowing that we are part of the effort to get the App State family through this unprecedented crisis.”

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About the Division of Finance and Operations

Appalachian State University’s Division of Finance and Operations (formerly known as the Division of Business Affairs) provides effective and efficient stewardship of the university’s financial resources, along with a wide array of services and support for the entire university community, including the maintenance and improvement of App State’s physical environment and infrastructure. This administrative division includes the units of Finance and Administration, Campus Services, Facilities Management and Human Resources, and also oversees the App State Loft in New York City. Learn more at https://businessaffairs.appstate.edu.

About Campus Dining

Campus Dining is owned and operated by Appalachian State University and offers dining services tailored to the campus community’s specific needs. With three dining facilities and daily catering events, Campus Dining provides opportunities for nourishment and also building and fostering relationships over shared meals and experiences. Campus Dining is committed to serving the Appalachian Community using sustainable practices such as local sourcing and contributing to campus composting and a constantly evolving partnership with the Office of Sustainability. Learn more at https://dining.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.