On Thursday, March 12th, Governor Gretchen Whitmer made the announcement that all public and private K-12 Michigan schools would close for three weeks to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This news has put many in crisis mode, specifically families with students that rely on schools to provide their breakfast and lunch each day. With students all over the state receiving free or reduced lunch, families are faced with the question: How will my children eat? Since this announcement, communities have banded together to provide resources so children don’t go hungry during school closures, while also respecting and adhering to the social distancing guidelines.
Check out the list below of school systems, restaurants, and other community resources that are providing free breakfast or lunch during this three week isolation period:
Jackson County: School buses will distribute boxed lunches and the next day’s breakfast. On Fridays, enough breakfast and lunch will be provided to last through the weekend.
Walled Lake Consolidated School District: (Oakland County) Feed Our Kids Program. Starting March 16th, Walled Lake Western will offer curbside pickup.
Adrian Public Schools (Lenawee County): “Grab and Go” food distribution, with the option of home delivery
Richmond Community Schools (Macomb County): Starting Wednesday, 3/18, meals with breakfast and lunch items will be distributed at bus stops throughout the school district.
Holland Community Schools (Ottawa County)
Wayland Union Schools (Allegan County)
Kalamazoo Public Schools (Kalamazoo County): Bagged breakfast and lunch available
Muskegon Heights (Muskegon County)
Grand Rapids Public Schools (Kent County): Seven “Grab and Go” meal sites.
Detroit Public Schools (Wayne County)
South Redford Schools (Wayne County): Breakfast and lunch for any South Redford student under 18. Each building will be a distribution site, and buses will be delivering to neighborhoods. More info to come.
Novi Community School District (Oakland County): 7 days of free breakfast and lunch every Tuesday to be picked up at Novi High School
Ypsilanti Community Schools (Washtenaw County): Breakfast and lunch at six pickup locations
Saginaw Public Schools (Saginaw County): Beginning Monday, 3/16, “Grab and Go” breakfast and lunch distributions
Flint Community Schools (Genesee County): Using 24 access sites to provide meals twice a day.
Waterford School District (Oakland County): “Meet Up and Eat Up” drive through breakfast and lunch for 18 and under. Look for the balloons!
Additional Resources:
Revive Sips and Sweets in Holly, MI: Monday – Friday, 11am – 1pm Free lunch for students, no questions asked.
Sam’s Coney Island and Restaurant in Lapeer, MI: For anyone struggling, eat at Sam’s for free, no questions asked.
Glam Boutiques in Flint, MI Sack lunches available with curbside pickup, Monday – Friday, starting 3/16
Forest Edge Banquet Center in Saginaw, MI: Free (Takeout) Spaghetti Dinner on Wednesday, 3/18, at the Hellenic Center at 4970 Mackinaw Rd.
Please note, this is not a comprehensive list. Additional resources will be added as they are made public.