Detroit schools revamp free meal program during COVID-19 crisis

A steady line of Detroit adults stopped by Mackenzie Elementary and Middle School on Wednesday to take advantage of Detroit Public Schools Community District’s (DPSCD) free breakfast, lunch and educational enrichment offerings during the state-mandated closing in response to the coronavirus. 

In all, the state’s largest school district serviced 26,000 students and families. 

Monique Campbell arrived at Mackenzie just before noon to secure bag lunches and homework packets for her kids, ages 10 and 14. 

“This is very helpful,” Campbell said.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered all private and public schools closed from Monday to April 5 in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by a new coronavirus. 

The first person died of complications on Wednesday, a man in his 50s, at a Beaumont Hospital in Wayne County. At a Wednesday afternoon press conference, Whitmer and officials said there were more than 100 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Michigan. 

DPSCD’s free breakfast and lunch for its students is being served at dozens of school sites 8 to 10:30 a.m. Monday to Friday. Lunch will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays. 

School district staff are providing curbside service to comply with COVID-19 social distancing recommendations. Students are not allowed to enter the building. 

In addition, staff has developed K-8 learning packets with a focus on math, English/language arts, science and social studies. A homework hotline is available to families and students for academic support from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday. The hotline number is: 1-833-466-3978.

Nikolai Vitti, DPSCD general superintendent, pointed out that the school district is limited in the services that it can provide during the crisis. More affluent school districts and state universities are providing online learning. Vitti said there’s a digital divide and federal and state governments must invest in school districts across the state. Many students lack internet access.

More than 50% of Detroit’s school-age children reside in homes where the income derived there falls under the federal poverty rate ($21,720 for a household of three people), according to a University of Michigan report.  

“When crises happen, it becomes stark and clear to everyone the discrepancies that we see based on income and based on race we are seeing right now,” he said.