ANDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — The Happy Lunch Box food truck made its maiden voyage this week to bring meals to students around Anderson County. 

The food truck made its debut in May after Anderson County Schools partnered with the county to create the truck with a $196,000 community block grant. 

The food truck was parked at Briceville and Lake City Elementary Schools to provide lunch for any kids who came by. Staff said the health department gave the green light for the truck to begin operations just before fall break. So, they had to hurry as fast as they could to get the truck ready for deliveries. 

Staff said it was a labor of love to get everything together on such short notice, but it's exciting to provide meals for their families. 

"As nervous as I was, trying to make sure we had everything in place and everything was ready, it's just a huge blessing. I'm overjoyed," said Jennifer Goins, the Family Resource Center Director for Anderson County Schools. 

The Happy Lunch Box will make stops around the county, but first, the district wants to focus on communities they said may struggle with food insecurity. 

"I have dreamed about...not anything to this capacity! But, just being able to get out and take food to the kids because a lot of people either don't have transportation or they may not be able to walk the kids to the area, different things," Goins said. "We know there's such a high number of food insecurities in this area, also in the Rocky Top area because there is no place, or grocery store, things like that for them to get food."

School district leaders said students of all ages are welcome to visit the food truck if they see it out and about in the community. They say their goal is to make sure all children are fed. 

Staff said they love being able to take care of kids while they're at school, and this is a way they can take care of kids outside of school. 

"It's exciting to get to know that we are able to provide. Because we do so much inside the classroom and inside the school. So, it's great to be outside the classroom and be able to support our families," Goins said. 

The bus has wrapped up its rounds for fall break, but they plan to do two runs a week during longer breaks like summer and winter.