GATES, N.Y. — Call it a school cafeteria on the go, or a student Meals On Wheels.

Gates Chili's "Spartan Eats" food bus has made its rounds all summer, extending the school district's healthy meals mission to families in need during the break.

Just like a food truck, this former school bus has all of the hot and cold food conveniences, plus table space for kids and families to sit and eat when it stops at four parks in the district to serve lunches to those who are under served. 

"We actually prepare the food in our high school cafeteria kitchen," district nutrition director Debbie Beauvais said. "The bus is manned by two or three staff. One of course has to be a bus driver, but they also double as a food service worker. And we load in a meal."

 

​Gates Chili teachers will be served by Spartan Eats when they return next week. It'll also hand out foods at the Spartans homecoming celebration. The bus can also be utilized by community groups for public and private events.

However, its first mission is to serve the more than 50 percent of Gates Chili's student body that qualifies for meal assistance. A Dansville bus company donated the bus.

"We are proud of the innovation that made this come together," superintendent Kimberle Ward said. "It expands our ability to meet the mission Gates Chili has set to provide healthy meals and education as part of our foundation for learning."