Where to get free food in metro Detroit during the coronavirus crisis

Brendel Hightower
Detroit Free Press

During the coronavirus crisis, students will no longer have access to in-school meals for the next several weeks. To alleviate hunger, emergency food resources by local businesses and school districts are stepping in to ensure families and individuals are fed.

We're compiling a running list of resources offering free food in metro Detroit.

Please email bhightower@freepress.com if you know of places offering free food as we support each other.

Michigan

Burger King is giving away two free kids meals with any purchase made via the Burger King app. The free meals can be redeemed one time per guest, daily, through April 6. The free meals are only applicable on takeout or drive-thru orders, not delivery.

Focus: HOPE, food distribution centers are offering prepackaged food boxes via drive-up distribution for seniors 60 and older who meet income requirements and live in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb or Washtenaw counties from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Friday. Delivery to seniors will continue. 313-494-4600.

Food center locations:

• Westside Food Center: 1300 Oakman Blvd., Detroit

• Inkster Food Center: 759 Inkster Road, Inkster

• Eastside Food Center: 9151 Chalmers, Detroit

Great Lakes Wine & Spirits, will begin working with local restaurants to send two meals a week home for GLWAS employees and their families. 

Macomb County

Blake's Farm & Cider Mill, will offer free lunches to those under 18, who may otherwise go without, daily from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Lunches can be picked up in the Cider Mill or through the new drive thru.

Center Line Schools, 10-11 a.m. through April 3 breakfast and lunch will be provided each weekday. Prepared meals will be delivered by bus to designated bus stops (see schedule). An adult or older sibling may take food for the entire family of enrolled students in the district. Contact Theresa Elya (elyat@clps.org, 586-510-2031) in the Food Services department with any questions.

Eastpointe Community Schools, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. breakfast and lunch meals will be distributed using a “drive-thru” and “walk-up” model every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Mondays and Wednesdays, the food distribution will include two days of meals, and on Fridays, three days of meals will be distributed. 

L’Anse Creuse Public Schools, will have drive-/walk-up meals at sites through the community for kids up to 18 years old, and persons up to age 26 who are enrolled in an education program for the mentally or physically disabled that is recognized by the state or local public educational agency may also take part in this U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded program. On Tuesdays and Fridays patrons will receive three and four days worth of meals through April 3. Children do not need to be present for parents to request meals. Click here for times and locations.

Macomb Food Program and their partners serve those in need with food pantries and school district programs. Click here for a resource map. All locations also have unique program details-Please call ahead for details.

Romeo Community Schools, through April 3 families can pick up free bagged breakfast and lunch meals in a drive-thru or mobile walk-up meal service for all children 18 and under regardless of what school they attend. 

Drive-thru meal service -4-6 p.m.

Week of March 30-April 3 – Monday, Wednesday, Friday at Romeo High School and Amanda Moore Elementary 

Warren Woods Public Schools, will provide two breakfasts and two lunches per child, regardless if they are Warren Woods students for drive-through pickup Monday, Wednesday and Friday beginning March 30:

Pinewood Elementary, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at door #1

Warren Woods Middle School, 12-1 p.m. at door #29

Westwood Elementary, 11- 12 p.m. at door #1

Utica Community Schools is offering free "to go" meals at 14 public school and community distribution sites for children and teens ages 18 and under and persons up to age 26 who are enrolled in an educational program for the mentally or physically disabled that is recognized by a state or local public educational agency may also take part in this U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded program. Patrons will be provided with two days’ worth of meals. On Fridays, patrons will be provided with three days’ worth of meals. Children do not have to be present for parents to request meals. 

12 p.m.-1 p.m. March 23-April 3 (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). www.uticak12.org.

  • Burr Elementary, 41460 Ryan, Sterling Heights
  • Dresden Elementary, 11400 Delvin, Sterling Heights
  • Harvey Elementary, 41700 Montroy, Sterling Heights
  • Plumbrook Elementary, 39660 Spalding, Sterling Heights
  • Roberts Elementary, 2400 Belle View, Shelby Township
  • Schwarzkoff Elementary, 8401 Constitution, Sterling Heights
  • West Utica Elementary, 5415 West Utica Road, Shelby Township
  • Wiley Elementary, 47240 Shelby Rd., Shelby Township

Meals to-go available at the rear of the building at these public schools from noon-1 p.m. except Stevenson High School, 39701 Dodge Park, Sterling Heights (distribution begins at 11 a.m.)

  • Meals to go delivered by UCS Food Truck to these locations at these listed times:
  • Rudgate Manor Club House, 5150 Rudgate Circle, Sterling Heights
  • Outside of clubhouse from 11 a.m. -11:30 a.m.
  • Sterling Estates, 43475 La Grand Blvd, Sterling Heights
  • Outside the clubhouse in picnic area from noon-12:30 p.m.
  • Autumn Woods, 44401 Bridal Lane, Sterling Heights
  • Near the main office from 12:40 p.m. -1:10 p.m.

Monroe County

Mobile Food Pantry at The Opportunity Center will have emergency food boxes at 10 a.m. March 28. 734-241-2775

Airport Community Schools, food bus delivery will be available for every child under 18 that wants food, no questions asked. Click here for bus delivery routes.

Oakland County

Avondale School District, 9-11 a.m and 12-1 p.m.for 18 years old and younger (persons with special needs up to age 26). Children do not have to be enrolled in an Avondale School District to receive meals. Children not need to be present for a parent to pick up meals. Drive-up services using the school bus loops at the following locations:

Auburn Elementary, 2900 Waukegan, Auburn Hills

Deerfield Elementary, 3600 Crooks, Rochester Hills

R. Grant Graham Elementary, 2450 Old Salem, Auburn Hills

Woodland Elementary, 6465 Livernois, Troy

Avondale Middle School, 145 W Auburn Road, Rochester Hills

Additional dates will be announced for the next weeks.

Baldwin Center, in Pontiac, will provide bag lunches 10:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Individuals can pick up lunches to go or there will be limited seating. Breakfast is 7-7:30 a.m Monday-Friday. 

Berkley School District, two meals a day (breakfast and lunch) will be distributed to any child under 18 in the community from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.  at Anderson Middle School and Norup International School. On Fridays, families will be able to take enough meals for the weekend for each child.

Birmingham Public Schools, breakfast and lunch will be provided for students or families to take home Monday-Friday. Children do not have to be enrolled in district to participate. Students between 18-26-years old who is enrolled at the Annex can participate.

Drive-thru pickup style at Groves High School from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Drive-/walk-through is at the Groves parking lot facing the football field between the auditorium and pool doors. 

School bus pickup style at Derby Middle School parking lot and Huntley Square Apartments at 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

Bloomfield Hills Schools, grab-and-go containers for children under the age of 18 (under 26 for adults with disabilities) will be available beginning at 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the main entrances of Bloomfield Hills High School and East Hills Middle School. Families can take up to two days of meals at a time. If picking up on a Friday, families can take meals for both Friday and the weekend. Children do not have to be enrolled in Bloomfield Hills Schools to take advantage of this program. Adults may collect food for children without children present. Adult meals will be offered at $4 per meal. 248-341-5672.

Clawson Public Schools, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. and 5-6 p.m., free brown bag breakfast and lunch program for all children 18 years old and younger (persons with special needs up to age 26). Children do not need to be enrolled in Clawson Public Schools to participate.

Ferndale Public Schools, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Monday-Friday will provide breakfast and lunch during closure for students 18-years old and under at Ferndale High School, Ferndale Upper Elementary, University High School and Tri-County Educational Center.

Northville Public Schools, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays through April 3, grab-and-go breakfast and lunch for two days, for three days if picked up on Fridays. Meals can be picked up at  Northville High School and Cooke School.

Oak Park Schools, Feed Our Kids Program will distribute two meals per day (breakfast and lunch) for any child 18-years and younger through April 3.

Curbside pickup at schools 10:30 a.m-12:30 p.m. at Oak Park Preparatory Academy, Oak Park Freshman Institute and Oak Park High School.

Pick up at school bus stop 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at Greenfield & 7 Mile, Greenfield & 6 Mile, Greenfield & Fenkell, Greenfield & Schoolcraft, Greenfield & Joy, and Joy and Southfield.

Pontiac Community Foundation has a resource list that includes information on food boxes, grocery pickup, drive-thru food pantry and drive-up meals for the community.

Rosie O'Grady's, in Ferndale, will provide students that comes in Wednesday-Friday at lunchtime (parents or not) a free kids meal to go until area schools are back to normal. 279 W. Nine Mile.

Royal Oak Schools, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. school side pickup Monday-Friday at Kelly Elementary, Upton Elementary and Royal Oak High School free of charge for anyone 18 and younger. Two meals, breakfast and lunch, can be picked up at the same time. Families can pick up multiple days in one pickup.

Southfield Public Schools, up to two meals per day will be available for children ages 18 and younger, including students with disabilities, ages 18-26 with an active individual education program (IEP) from 10:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Click here for specific stops and times. Students that ride special needs buses will have meals delivered to their homes. In addition, there will be buses on standby to capture students who may miss the scheduled bus delivery or for special meals. Also, meals will be distributed at Thompson K-8 International Academy, 16300 Lincoln Dr. from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

Troy School District, 9-10 a.m. weekdays through-April 1 grab and go breakfasts and sack lunches will be available to anyone under 18. Children do not have to be a TSD student. Students do not have to be present. Pick up locations are: Athens High School, Troy High School, Troy Career and College HS, Baker Middle School, Smith Middle School, Morse Elementary School, Troy Union Elementary, Charter Square Apartments (leasing center), Rochester Villas (leasing center), Somerset Apartments (activity center), The Gables of Troy (leasing center) and Troy Villas (corner of Sylvia Dr. and Shelley Dr.).

Walled Lake Consolidated School, 1:45-3 p.m. every Monday through March 30 children will receive 7 days of breakfast and 7 days of lunch for students 18 and younger (up to age 26 for students with disabilities). Pick-up at Walled Lake Western High School or Walled Lake Central High School.

Washtenaw County

Ann Arbor -- Miss Kim Korean Restaurant and Palm Palace Restaurant both currently offering free kids meals for takeout. 

Ann Arbor Public Schools, "To go" meals will be available for pickup 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. through-April 2. Meals are for children up to 18 years old and any child with special needs up to 26 years old. If you have food allergy needs or cannot make it to a pickup location, call 734-994-2265.

Food pickup locations are listed below:

  • Peace Neighborhood Center — Peace Maple Meadows Satellite, West Arbor Satellite, 1111 N. Maple Road.
  • Arrowwood Hills Community Center — 2566 Arrowwood Trail.
  • Bryant Community Center — 3 W. Eden Ct.
  • Green Baxter Court Community Center — 1737 Green Road.
  • Hikone Community Center — 2724 Hikone Dr.
  • Pinelake Village Coop — outside the clubhouse — 2680 Adrienne Dr.
  • Lakestone Apartments — outside the clubhouse — 4275 Eyrie Dr.
  • Scio Farms — outside the clubhouse — 6655 Jackson Road.
  • Orchard Grove — outside the clubhouse — 2835 S. Wagner
  • Carpenter Elementary — outside the school — 4250 Central Blvd.
  • Scarlett Middle School — outside the school — 3300 Lorraine

Ypsilanti Community Schools, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. will distribute a package of seven meals per distribution, providing students with seven days of breakfast and lunches. Click here for locations.

Wayne County

Capuchin Soup Kitchen and Community Services, in Detroit will remain open to serve those in need. The Capuchin Soup Kitchen has switched from dine-in to a takeaway meal service at their two meal sites:

1264 Meldrum

Monday - Friday, 8:30-9:30 a.m. breakfast; 11 a.m.-1 p.m. lunch

4390 Conner

Monday - Saturday, 8:30-9:30 a.m. breakfast; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. lunch

Detroit – eastside, Free hot lunch by S.E.E.D Now and Celebration Church of Detroit, located at 12601 Canfield, at 1 p.m. March 25 for more than 200 families. Anyone wanting to make donations to help more people can cash app $CCOD1 or donate on eventbrite.

Detroit - southwest, Drive-thru distributions by the Ford Resource and Engagement Center will take place at 20th Street Bagley Food Hub entrance. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays and Mondays; 2-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 313-962-4888 to determine eligibility.

High Velocity Sports, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday-Friday until further notice will offer a drive-through free lunch for anyone in need. Cars can pull up to the front door and a sack lunch or lunches will be delivered to the vehicle. Each lunch will consist of a peanut butter and jelly (or jelly only) sandwich, a bag of chips, a piece of fruit, and a juice box. Those without a car may come in the building to the front office to request a lunch, no questions asked. Free delivery is available to those in the Plymouth and Canton areas that are unable to get to HVS for pickup by signing up here. 46245 Michigan Ave., Canton. 734-487-7678.

Wayne Metro's Cortland Community Impact Center will provide two days worth of bagged breakfasts and lunches 2-4 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday as curbside pick-up until April 2 (tentatively). 138 Cortland, Highland Park.

Schools in Wayne County, Wayne RESA has put together a list of schools offering meals to students during the school closure. Click here for a list of schools. For more detailed information about the food services of each district, contact the district.

University Prep Schools, 12-3 p.m. Monday, April 6 five breakfast and five lunch meals per student of families who attend U Prep Schools will be provided at U Prep Academy High School, 600 Antoinette, Detroit.