CLINTON, Tennessee — Sitting in the parking lot of Anderson County High School is a bright orange and teal food truck, and along the side of the truck is the picture of a smiling lunch box. 

"When he asked me about the design I said 'When someone looks at it I want them a huge smile (to) come across their face and for them to be excited,'" said Paula Sellers, Director of Student Services at Anderson County Schools. 

For years, Sellers has dreamed about this food truck. 

"My whole entire career with Anderson County Schools this has been my dream and I'm so thankful that it's here," she said. 

Recently, Anderson County Schools unveiled the food truck on social media. The truck comes after the district partnered with the Anderson County Government to write a community development block grant for $196,000 for the truck. 

The Happy Lunch Box will serve as a mobile meal service for students who may struggle with food insecurity when they're away from school.

"This truck's going to go out and travel to different communities (that) are in a food desert area and we're going to deliver food (during) school breaks," Sellers said. 

The truck will operate during spring, summer, fall and winter break and any inclement weather days if it can safely travel the roads. 

Sellers lives in the Briceville Community of Anderson County and said she knows what it's like to live in a food desert, which is why she says The Happy Lunch Box is more than just a food truck. It's a lifeline for some kids.  

"I worry if kids eat, I worry if they have enough. I went to school here, I've lived here all my life so this is really a passion for me. Serving students and serving families, that's what my life's work's been about and I'm just so thankful that it's finally come to fruition and it's here," Sellers said. 

She said that with high cost of living, she wants this food truck to help families one meal at a time.  

"We just want each of our students and families to be fed when we're not in school. Times right now are tight and even our families who have two parents working it's hard to make ends meet and so, we just want to ease that burden just a little bit," Sellers said. 

The food truck is currently waiting for clearance from the county health department before they can begin operations. As of now, the truck plans to operate in tandem with other local food banks and churches that pass out meals, so it plans to make stops around twice a week. 

The truck will also serve areas with the highest need first, Briceville, Rocky Top and Oliver Springs communities will get priority before the truck heads to other areas in Anderson County. Families will be asked to fill out a survey to verify they have a child enrolled in the school district.