Mindy Iverson, reading specialist teacher at Steenrod Elementary School, samples one of the pastries from McDonald’s brought to the school by Bob Stoltz, owner/operator of the Elm Grove McDonalds. (Photo by Joselyn King)

McDonald’s restaurants are serving up more than just free apples to all school employees this week.

McDonald’s is providing a free breakfast each morning this week through Friday to all those who work in education. This includes teachers, administrators and school staff.

Those who show valid work identification will be served “Thank You Meals” in Happy Meal boxes containing a breakfast sandwich, hash browns and a coffee or other beverage. Recipients may choose either an Egg McMuffin, a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit or sausage biscuit.

Representatives from the Elm Grove McDonald’s kicked off the Thank You Meal for educators by personally delivering bags of pastries to Steenrod Elementary School. School employees selected from among apple fritters, blueberry muffins or pull-apart glazed donuts.

Bob Stoltz, owner/operator of Elm Grove McDonald’s, said workers at all schools are invited to come to his restaurant for the free breakfast, and he wished he could hand-deliver a breakfast to all of them.

“We want to celebrate and thank teachers, and promote Thank You Meals days for educators,” Stoltz said. “As a local business owner, I am proud to serve people who work to make the community a better place.”

In 2020, McDonald’s gave out free breakfasts to all healthcare workers.

“My family is proud to serve the people who make the Ohio Valley a better place. Our local teachers often top that list. That’s why it’s important to say thank you to our everyday heroes,” Stoltz said. “We were honored to give away 12 million free Thank You Meals to first responders and healthcare workers across the country last year and now, with educators going above and beyond, we’re excited to recognize them in a way only McDonald’s can.”

He said Steenrod Elementary School was selected as the school to promote Thank You Meals because of its proximity to the Elm Grove McDonalds, and that employees there are frequent customers.

“We visit there,” said Mindy Iverson, a reading specialist educator at Steenrod. “We often need coffee to jumpstart our day.”

The teachers and other school employees do appreciate the “thank you,” she added. Iverson said it makes the school community happy to know there is someone thinking of them.