STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The city Department of Education (DOE) will increase the supply and distribution of halal meals at 32 meal hubs with large Muslim populations -- including three on Staten Island -- during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month.

New York Citys more than 400 meal hub sites continue to offer grab-and-go meals that are free to adults and children across the five boroughs while public schools are closed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

A halal meal is one prepared in accordance with Islamic law -- as defined in the Quran, Islams holy book. Ramadan began on Thursday and will end on the evening of May 23 with the traditional Eid al-Fitr festivity.

The three Staten island schools that will increase the supply and distribution of halal meals are:

-- Curtis High School in St. George - 105 Hamilton Ave.

-- PS 22 in Graniteville - 1860 Forest Ave.

-- CSI High School in New Springville - 100 Essex Drive

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KOSHER NOW OFFERED

Beginning Monday, PS 54 in Willowbrook will exclusively offer kosher-certified meals, which are prepared in accordance with Jewish dietary regulations. The school is located at 1060 Willowbrook Rd.

Kosher meals follow the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) meal nutrition guidelines and are produced in partnership with a certified kosher distributor. The kosher meal sites are housed in DOE school buildings and staffed by DOE food service staff.

The meals are free and available to any New Yorker that requests them.

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Life on lockdown: Coronavirus in NYC

GRAB-AND-GO

While school buildings are closed due to COVID-19, New York City has set up the meal hubs across the five boroughs to ensure New Yorkers dont go hungry.

The DOE offers three free meals on weekdays for any New Yorker, and all three can be picked up at one time from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Children and families pick up meals from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Adults pick up free meals from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

No one will be turned away from receiving a meal, according to the DOEs website. No registration, identification, or documentation is required. Vegetarian options will be available at all sites. No dining space is available, so meals must be eaten off-premises.

Families can search Free Meals on schools.nyc.gov or call 311 to find a site near them. Families can also text FOOD or COMIDA to 877-877 to find a meal near them.

Here is a complete list of meal hubs on Staten Island.

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Increased halal, kosher options offered at Staten Island meal sites - SILive.com