YMCA begins food distribution program across Shelby County
Parent Desha Pullen (right) picks up instructional learning packets and meals for her children during a Shelby County Schools food-distribution event Monday, March 23, at Orange Mound Community Center. Monday was the first day the YMCA began running 62 meal-distribution sites across Shelby County. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Editor’s note: Due to the serious public health implications associated with COVID-19, The Daily Memphian is making our coronavirus coverage accessible to all readers — no subscription needed.
A mother of four, Desha Pullen is willing to do whatever she can to help her children succeed in life.
On Monday morning, March 23, that meant making a trip to the Orange Mound Community Center to pick up meals and instructional learning packets for her children. This was the first day the YMCA began running 62 meal-distribution sites across Shelby County.
“Anything I can do to help make that possible,” Pullen, 33, said. “I’m here for it.”
Shelby County Schools announced YMCA would take over its food-distribution program on Sunday. This decision came after SCS confirmed a nutrition employee tested positive for COVID-19, and the district suspended the meal-distribution program as a precaution against the virus.
SCS planned to run the meal-distribution program as long as schools are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There are 84 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Shelby County, as of Monday morning.
Pullen’s children attend Aspire Hanley Elementary School in Orange Mound, operated by the state’s Achievement School District. However, SCS Superintendent Joris Ray said the district would not turn away anyone as long as a child under 18 was present.
“As a community-based partner, we are thankful for the opportunity to do our part and respond to Dr. Ray’s call to help serve the immediate needs of our community, especially our children,” Jerry Martin, president and CEO of YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South, said in a news release. “We truly are grateful to collaborate with our partners at SCS to help feed our children.”
Sylvia Stewart and her 4-year-old granddaughter, Arianna Moore, pick up instructional learning packets during a Shelby County Schools food-distribution event Monday, March 23, at Orange Mound Community Center. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Meals distributed Monday included a pre-packaged sandwich, fruit and snack. The instructional learning packets were available for students who do not have access to the internet.
YMCA will serve meals at all 62 sites from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. However, the instructional packets will be available for pickup on Tuesday only.
Activity was relatively slow Monday at several sites including Lester Community Center in Binghampton and Ed Rice Community Center in Frayser. However, the Orange Mound distribution site saw an uptick in families arriving around noon.
SCS Board member Joyce Dorse-Coleman was also at Orange Mound Community Center to pick up instructional packets for her grandchildren.
Dorse-Coleman, whose district includes Orange Mound, was expecting a stronger turnout. She said maybe the district needed to communicate the last-minute change better to make sure families take full advantage of the program.
“By tomorrow, if I don’t have a lot of turnout in my district, I’ll get packages and take them to stores … I’m going to go where the people are,” Dorse-Coleman said. “Because some people may not be able to get up here.”
Topics
Shelby County Schools YMCA Orange MoundOmer Yusuf
Omer Yusuf covers Bartlett and North Memphis neighborhoods for The Daily Memphian. He also analyzes COVID-19 data each week. Omer is a former Jackson Sun reporter and University of Memphis graduate.
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.