Just because they aren’t being taught in the classroom doesn’t mean students have been forgotten until schools return from a state-ordered shutdown in response to the coronavirus.

Further proof of that was evident Tuesday morning in the Lehighton Area Elementary Center, where it was one car right after the other as families took advantage of a free breakfast and lunch program.

Lehighton Area School District was one of several that offered the program for families and caregivers to drive through and pick up meals for their children.

Superintendent Jonathan J. Cleaver said that within the first half-hour of the program, 64 had been served.

When all was said and done, he said about 100 were served.

“We’re surprised by how many,” Cleaver said.

Lindsay McIntosh of Lehighton was among those who drove through the center to pick up the food for her children, Sarah, 8, and Jack, 5.

“I like the program,” McIntosh said. “It helps me out.”

Lunch and breakfast for today was to be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lunches will include sandwiches, fresh vegetables, fruit and milk. Cereal and other assorted breakfast items, along with a fruit, juice and milk, will be provided for breakfast. No congregating at the pickup location is permitted. Any questions, contact the food service department at 610-377-4490, ext. 4012, or dkubisek@lehighton.org.

Monday was the first day off for students around Pennsylvania after Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday announced all K-12 schools in the state would be closed for at least two weeks.

No cases of the coronavirus have yet to be confirmed in Carbon County.