Minneapolis, St. Paul school districts to provide free lunches through March 27

Students will be home from school across Minnesota on Wednesday. It’s the first day of a week and a half long school closure mandated by Gov. Tim Walz that runs through March 27.

The executive order also requires districts to provide meals to students during that time. The Minneapolis Public School district has designated 20 locations as food distribution centers.

Meals will be handed out from school buses in parking lots from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. each weekday, providing breakfast and lunch.

“This is a service that is really, really critical for our community,” said Superintendent Ed Graff.

Here’s a list of restaurants offering free lunches to students while K-12 schools are closed

The district requires that the child, 18 years old or younger, is present for the meal pickup.

“I want to be very clear that it’s for all children,” said Graff. “They do not have to identify themselves as Minneapolis Public Schools children.”

The number of families who pick up meals is expected to change day by day. The restrictions on restaurants could increase demand, said Graff.

“In times like this when there’s a great deal of uncertainty, as educators, it’s our job is to provide the consistent support that is needed for our students and our families,” he said.

About 60% of students district-wide currently qualify for free and reduced meals.

To view the 20 Minneapolis sites available for lunches, click here.

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As for St. Paul, preparations are underway after the Governor’s executive order was announced.

About 70% of St. Paul Public School children currently qualify for free and reduced meals.

Bus drivers will also be delivering boxes of food to families at their regular bus stops starting on Wednesday. Each box contains food for five breakfasts and five lunches. The meals contain perishable foods.

They’ll be distributed once a week.

Food will go out on Wednesdays for children who have a 7:30 a.m. start time. If families can’t make it to the bus stop, meals will also be available for curbside pickup from 7:30-8 a.m. at specific schools listed below.

Food will also be delivered on Thursdays for children who usually start at 8:30 a.m. If families can’t make it to the bus stop, meals will also be available for curbside pickup from 8:30-9 a.m. at specific schools.

On Fridays, boxes will be delivered to children who usually have a 9:30 a.m. start time. If families can’t make it to the bus stop, meals will also be available for curbside pickup from 9:30-10 a.m. at specific schools.

According to SPPS, bus drivers will follow their normal morning routes and stop at normal times.

Children who are 18 years old or younger qualify. They do not need to be an SPPS student.

The district expects to hand out about 2,000 meals on Wednesday.

Starting on March 20, the district is also providing home meal delivery to those who lack transportation to bus stops, schools, or have medical conditions.

For the full list of curbside pickup locations for St. Paul Public Schools on specific days, click here.