According to Kentucky by the Numbers:  COVID-19 At Risk County Profiles, 34.3% (+/- 12.9%) of Breathitt County residents are grandparents still in the labor force and living with/responsible for grandchildren.  Also, according to Breathitt County Schools Food Service Coordinators, all schools within the Breathitt County system are 100% Free and Reduced lunch schools; meaning all 100% of their student population has access to free breakfast and lunch and snacks within the regular school day due to income guidelines met by the majority of their students.  Because we know that those over the age of 60 are labeled as "most vulnerable" during the COVID-19 pandemic, and because older adults raising grandchildren often face financial, emotional, physical and mental stress it is important to offer health and nutrition information to these families.  Also, because all Breathitt County students qualify for free and reduced lunch it is important that this audience is still served during the pandemic while school is taking place remotely, with those grandparents/guardians as sole providers.

Breathitt County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences Education, Kayla Watts, in conjunction with Breathitt County Schools Food Service and Transportation Service departments, provided Program on the Go Bags to all students that were serviced with food assistance and Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) paper packets during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Program on the Go bags included nutrition information for students and guardians, and also included activities for families to complete; all related to current information on COVID-19.  Program on the Go bags were distributed by the Food Service and Transportation Service department workers as they delivered food and resources during COVID-19.

Overall, the Program on the Go Bags/Information reached over 200 families every-other week for 2 months; approximately 650 people total each time the bags were delivered!   Participants were able to view the latest information related to COVID-19 released from UK FCS Extension, as well as, participated in family oriented activities related to nutrition and stress management.  

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way agents conducted outreach efforts to those that are most vulnerable.  The Program to Go bags have been very successful in reaching older adults/guardians and families with nutrition and health information.