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ELPS Emergency Plan for Feeding Kids Announced

East Lansing senior Andrew Lane cleans out his locker at the high school on Friday. (Photo by Gary Caldwell)

REMINDER: The City of East Lansing is under a State of Emergency and you are encouraged to practice social distancing. Read more about what the state of emergency means.

The East Lansing Public Schools administration has announced plans for feeding children during the public health emergency now ongoing.

All K-12 schools are closed by order of the governor through April 5 in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19, and many children in East Lansing normally obtain food through school because their families are economically challenged.

Yesterday we reported emergency plans from ELPS but noted details on food distribution were forthcoming.

Now we can report that the plan calls for food distribution to start on Monday (March 16) and to focus distribution in areas of the City where help is most likely needed.

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday ELPS will provide food to ANY child 18 years or younger through bagged meals to-go. The District will also be providing books and personal items.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, children will be given two days’ worth of breakfast and lunch. On Fridays, they will receive three days’ worth.

Food can be picked up by parents, guardians, and/or children. Children do not have to be present for parents and guardians to do pick-up.

Distribution will occur at:

  • Deer Path Apartments: 9:00 – 9:30 a.m.
  • Edgewood Village Apartments: 9:00 – 9:30 a.m.
  • 1855/University Village Community Center: 9:45 – 10:15 a.m.
  • Capital City Vineyard Church: 9:45 – 10:15 a.m.
  • Spartan Village: times to be announced

Writes Superintendent Dori Leyko, “Look for the school bus and food delivery truck!”

The District is sending out this information via email, the district’s website, and Twitter, and a robocall will go out using the District’s emergency call system on Sunday.

The District asks that people share this information widely. Again, food is NOT limited to ELPS-enrolled students, and food can be obtained this way for any child 18 years or younger.

ELi has a special section dedicated to our reporting on COVID-19 for East Lansing. See it here and sign up for ELi’s mailer to stay informed