When St. Luke’s University Hospital made the announcement it was in need of supplies to help combat the coronavirus, Northampton Area School District stepped up to assist.

“[St. Luke’s] staff were looking for supplies they are using while treating patients,” NASD Superintendent of Schools Joseph S. Kovalchik said. “With students out of school, we gave some of our supply to help them out. The supplies are going to the St. Luke’s Care Now center on MacArthur Road. We have enough for our use in case they reopen schools again.”

The stash was quite a haul in this tight market. There were four cases of vinyl gloves - 4,000 in various sizes. Five cases of sanitizing chemicals, 36 bottles of hand sanitizer and 30 gallons of commercial disinfectant rounded out the cleaning supply list.

The school district turned loose its supply of N-95 masks, which are in high demand.

According to Kovalchik, schools are now closed indefinitely. Delaying the school year is becoming less of an option as the shutdown continues.

“In Pennsylvania, we have to shut the schools down on June 30. It would take state action to extend the school year beyond that,” he said.

Helping St. Luke’s is not the only aspect of the district’s outreach program.

“We are feeding about 300 students a day with bagged lunches,” Kovalchik said.

The district has two locations set up to hand out the lunches for students in the district.

George Wolf Elementary, in Bath, feeds about 130 kids, and Siegfried Elementary, in Northampton, feeds about 170 kids a day. The lunches are provided by Aramark, the school’s food service.

Parents need to have their children with them to pick up lunches. Students who drive can pick up their own lunches but must promptly leave the school property.