Local Schools Providing Options for Lent Season

Friday, February 20th was the first Friday of the Lenten season, and that means a lot of south Mississippians will pass on the meat for every Friday until the 40 days of Lent end.

The 40 days before Easter are known as Lent, and it’s a time for religious reflection and sacrifice. Many people give up something they love to honor the sacrifices others have already made. Anne Marie Hurt, a 6th grader at Ocean Springs Upper Elementary, says, "I gave up candy because I really like candy and you’re supposed to give up something you like."

Another sacrifice dating back to the earliest days of the church is not eating meat on Fridays during Lent. While it’s a daily requirement for schools in south Mississippi to offer strictly vegetarian lunches, the Ocean Springs School District makes special changes to its school menu during Lent to better serve the needs and beliefs of their Catholic students. Lisa Ludlow, Cafeteria Manager for Ocean Springs Upper Elementary, says, "Today we had fish nuggets, hush puppies that are really good, and they’re whole grain. We also have white chili coming at the end of the month." Hurt also says, "I really do feel like they give you enough options, because sometimes they have sandwiches, salads, such like that."

It’s always nice to have options, especially during the Lenten season, because today’s picky eaters are tomorrow’s doctors, lawyers, and senators. Ludlow also says, "We want our kids to be introduced to a variety of foods so that as they grow older, they make the right choices and we can be a healthier Mississippi."

Helping teach kids to make their own choices now will help them become more independent adults later. Hurt closes, "They don’t give you just one thing to eat because if you don’t want that, you can choose something else, and I think that’s a good thing to be able to do."

These options are especially important on a Friday during Lent.