Work continues at the new Support Services Building for Great Bend USD 428, where paved parking areas are being prepared this week. The first part of the building at 625 East 10th St. is almost done as the Central Kitchen is moved from 2201 Broadway Ave. to the new location.

Superintendent Khris Thexton and Assistant Superintendent John Popp reported on the progress at the Monday, July 10, school board meeting. 

Popp said the old kitchen had provided summer school meals through June. There were no classes the first week of July and that is when staff began moving into the new kitchen. When summer school resumed Monday, the Central Kitchen resumed providing lunch and the next day’s breakfast at three schools but they were only serving “cold” meals.

“They hope to be cooking by Wednesday but it may be Thursday,” Popp said. The district has received a temporary certificate of occupancy for the kitchen only. “By the end of July (the building) should be fully ours.”

USD 428 Public Information Director Andrea Bauer said Food Services staff were providing hot meals from the kitchen as of Wednesday. It’s a combination of cooking in both the old kitchen and the new kitchen until it is fully operational, she added.

Thexton reported that the Summer Food Service program provided 16,252 breakfasts and 16,689 lunches districtwide during the month of June.