Robbinsville – Graham County Schools is gearing up to roll out one of its newest assets to serve the community.
After several months of work, the district’s new food truck will soon be ready to transport meals to virtual learners in remote areas of the county, as well as serving in other roles.
The former bookmobile was purchased from a dealer in south Texas for $59,000, much of which was sourced from community donations.
“Everything’s commercial; new, stainless-steel appliances,” said assistant superintendent Robert Moody, who oversaw the project under the direction of Superintendent Angie Knight. “Everything turned out good. It has its own generator, air conditioning units on the inside. It has room for storage. There were very few things we had to do to it.”
Graham County Schools had the truck painted and had livery – featuring the district’s Black Knight mascot – created for the truck.
“Over the past few months, we’ve been getting it fixed up and ready for inspection,” Moody said. “We’re putting the final touches on it to get it inspected to get it out on the road.”
He said the inspection was the last hurdle the truck had to clear before it was ready to serve the district.
“They’ll come and inspect it and then it’s good to go, so hopefully within the next week or so, it’s ready to hit the road,” Moody said.
He emphasized Knight’s vision for the truck and it’s service to the community.
“It’s her dream and I’m just here to do whatever’s in the best interest for our kids,” Moody said. “That’s what it’s for. However we can help kids. It’s just another way, since we’re in such a remote area.
“Last spring and summer, there were days we were giving out up to 1,000 meals a day.”
He said in addition to its primary purpose of distributing meals to remote students, the truck could also serve as a concession stand at sporting events, be rented by school clubs or function as a mobile kitchen in a disaster situation.
“It’s completely self sufficient,” Moody said.