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COVID-Related School Closings Could Put Strain on Food Bank and Other Services

Mid-South Food Bank

With the announcement that Shelby County Schools will extend spring break to two weeks, or 14 days total, several organizations are worried about the unintended social impacts of the closure. 

Mike Carpenter, head of Tenneseans for Early Quality Education isn't second-guessing the decision to close schools, but he says, "On the one hand, you're apprehensive about contracting the virus and the impact of that. On the other hand, it does create a lot of issues and gaps." 

For one, students who rely on schools for breakfast and lunch may not have access to adequate nutrition during the extra week off. It's estimated that one in five of the county's children live in a food insecure home. 

Carpenter says students could also backslide academically over the extended break. Childcare may be an additional burden for low-income families. 

"Many of the parents of these children may have made arrangements for spring break," he says. "But they're going to continue to have to work beyond the school day and many don't have access to affordable childcare."

A Shelby County Schools spokesman said they are working on a response to these concerns. In the meantime, the Mid-South Food Bank is preparing 50,000 of what they're calling "14-Day" boxes, which hold about 30-pounds of nonperishable food items. 

"We're really treating this situation just by being prepared to help people who typically do not have the resources to keep large amounts of food on hand," says Marcia Wells, director of corporate and community engagement at the Food Bank. 

There are about 150 food pantries across the county that are expected to have boxes in the coming days. Boxes designated for the elderly have low-sodium and low-sugar items. 

"We have had some anecdotal information of people coming in and saying, "'My mother or grandmother is nervous about getting out, can I get food for her?'" Wells says.  

She is asking community members to volunteer at a local pantry or make donations of food or money. 

The Urban Child Institute is offering additional funding to certain organizations that plan to scale up their services during the extended break. 

As of Thursday afternoon, Shelby County municipal school districts have decided to remain open. 

This post has been updated.