MPS sites offer food, instruction amid school closures: 'Grandma is going to be her teacher now'

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Public Schools officials on Monday, March 16 began the distribution of meals and instructional materials for students at 20 "stop, grab, and go" sites throughout the city.

"Our goal is that our young people read, read, read, on a daily basis," said Keith Posley, MPS superintendent. "We have been working night and day to make sure that we have things available for our young people and our families."

With all MPS schools closed through at least April 13 because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, MPS officials set up these daily meals. Frederick Wright, a first-grader, was among those taking advantage Monday.

"I'm going to come here to get breakfast, and eat!" said Wright.

Debra Ott picked up meals for her granddaughter.

"I'm picking up meals and homework for my granddaughter," said Ott. "I told her that grandma is going to become her teacher now, and she said, 'What!?' I said, 'Yeah, no more grandma -- I'm going to be the teacher!'"

Christina Gordy picked up meals for her daughter.

"We stocked up on everything, food and everything, at the house just in case they close everything down," said Gordy.

The stop, grab, and go sites left at least one student excited about homeworker on a Monday.

"Yeah, and I'm the star student at my school to do homework," said Wright. "I'm the star student, so I do homework a lot. Even though I got to do a lot of stuff at home -- cleaning the room that I didn't mess up!"

District officials said as many as 76,000 students receive free breakfast and lunch in school daily -- so this is an important effort.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday, families can select any convenient location from the list below to pick up breakfast and lunch items for MPS students.

CLICK HERE for more information about meals for students in Kenosha, Menomonee Falls, and Racine.