Salvation Army to extend Mobile Lunch Program in response to closed schools
As the situation continues to change, so does The Salvation Army’s efforts to address the needs of area residents.
With the latest news that the schools will not reopen for the rest of the school year, The Salvation Army of Livingston County has extended the Mobile Lunch Program. The program that has served over 2,400 meals in just 14 days (as of last Tuesday), will continue to run every weekday until June 5.
Through this program, The Salvation Army will be able to continue helping families alleviate the added expense of the additional meal the kids would have received at school.
“June 5th would have been the last day of school which is how we determined how long the program would run,” said Major Prezza Morrison. “Later in the month we will start our normal summer programming, Summer Lunch Bunch, which will provide not only a meal, but also a pantry box.”
Over the past three-plus weeks, The Salvation Army has also seen an increase of more than double the number of families coming to the food pantry for groceries, as well as a huge increase in the number of people in need of shelter. Additionally, since the Shelter-in-Place order, the number of nights people are being sheltered has doubled to ensure they are not being sent out to seek additional shelter during this time.
“Normally many families in need of shelter are able to stay with family and friends to help them get back on their feet,” noted Major Morrison “However, since COVID-19 hit Michigan, the Shelter-in-Place order was executed and CDC’s recommendations, families experiencing home-lessness need another option.”
In addition to the extended Mobile Lunch Program, The Salvation Army of Livingston County will continue providing the pantry boxes for the Howell Area School families on April 13 and 20. The pantry boxes will contain breakfast, lunch and snacks that families can pick up once a week. At this time the special program is only for Howell area school children.
The Salvation Army is seeking monetary help. The cost of the Mobile Lunch Program, Howell Schools partnership, additional pantry assistance and added shelter nights is almost $50,000 per month. This is in addition to the normal assistance that The Salvation Army is still providing.
To volunteer contact Darlene Howard at 517-295-4347 or darlene.howard@usc.salvationarmy.org. To donate in-kind or monetary donations contact April Dertian at 517-295-4344 or april.dertian@usc.salvationarmy.org.
Donations can be dropped off at The Salvation Army Corps location Monday- Friday 9am-4:30pm, 503 Lake St, Howell 48843
New information is coming hourly and The Salvation Army may change its plan to better serve the needs. For up-to-date information check out our Facebook page: Facebook @SalvationArmyLivingston
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