Marlborough Coronavirus Food Distribution Set To End In June

MARLBOROUGH, MA — Marlborough's pandemic food distribution program — thought to be one of the most extensive in the state — will sunset at the end of June, according to school officials.

When coronavirus shut down schools closed in March, Marlborough began using elementary school bus routes to deliver food to students and families. The dozens of stops throughout the city now serve as food drop points. A map made by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency shows Marlborough has the densest food distribution network in the state.

Since March, the district has distributed about 170,000 meals, according to school officials. That number will likely grow to 200,000 by the time the program is set to end on June 26.

"We are grateful to all involved in making this program viable for so long during this pandemic, especially our food service employees and bus drivers who have been at the front line every day serving our community," Marlborough Schools Finance Director Douglas Dias wrote in a letter this week to Superintendent Michael Bergeron.

But the district does plan to continue meal distribution through the summer, although much smaller. School buses will be used to drop food at 15 high-traffic sites around the city.

For now, anyone under age 18 in Marlborough can grab a meal from drop off locations, even students who don't attend public schools. Meals are delivered Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in the morning and at lunchtime. View the full MEMA map for details on times and locations