MPS: Summer meal delivery program launched
MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee Public Schools is partnering with the MPS Foundation and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation-MKE Responds Fund on a pilot program that will deliver free meals this summer.
The program is open to any Milwaukee resident – not just MPS families – who live in the 53206, 53205, and 53233 ZIP codes.
Participants will receive free meal bundles on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the months of July and August that contain breakfast and lunch for each day of the week.
Families are still struggling to put food on the table more than a year into the pandemic. While the district has tried to help, it says the number of meals actually being served is down because of lack of transportation to the meal pick-up sites.
"Having daily nutritious food is essential for student learning and healthy and safe community," said Omer Abdullah, MPS director of school nutrition.
While Stop, Grab & Go fed students and families during the school year, Abdullah said the need has increased and changed. There are more than enough meals for kids, but it seems getting to them is a problem.
"Put your information in, and we can call, locate that the same way we do with regular transportation, but instead of seeing students picked up and drop off you’re going to see food being dropped off at those same designations or nearly the same designations," said Wendell Willis, MPS Foundation executive director.
Additionally, grade-specific bags of reading and enrichment materials will be supplied as part of the program. Willis believes convenience can make a difference for now as the foundation also looks to help eradicate the root cause of nutritional needs in the future.
"Long-term, look to address the real issue with real changes in real solutions," Willis said.
Milwaukee families can also pre-order meals for children ages 18 and under or head to one of the 15 designated pick-up sites.
The MPS summer food service program will officially kick off on June 21. Families can begin to place their orders beginning Monday, June 7 and can register by Friday, June 11. Space in the program is limited, so participants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Selected participants will be notified of their acceptance into the program and provided details regarding meal delivery.
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