DETROIT (WXYZ) — Every day in metro Detroit, more than 300,000 children rely on free or reduced lunches to get the nutrition they need.
In the recent wake of school closure announcements due to the coronavirus, the Gleaners Food Bank is on the front line in the fight against hunger.
There are already communities in the United States dealing with hunger, due to the new coronavirus. The National Guard distributed food to families in New York’s Westchester County, where more than 100 people have been diagnosed and schools are closed.
Even if metro Detroit doesn’t have an outbreak of that magnitude, after Michigan schools closed to prevent the spread of the virus, Gleaners Community Food Bank says it is preparing to take action.
“There are over 300,000 kids who rely on free or reduced lunch,” said Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, which serves Monroe, Wayne, Macomb, Oakland and Livingston Counties.
Briton says the impact of sudden school closures will be more severe than a summertime school closure. The reason? It will come as families are economically impacted by the new coronavirus. They could have their hours cut or be out of work.
Gleaners is working on possible plans with numerous organizations, preparing for whatever happens.