Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette The Food Distribution Program, conducted jointly between the districts of Hancock Public Schools and the Houghton-Portage Township Area Schools, has been extended to June 30, and boxes of breakfast items wait to be parceled out for weekly food distribution for students who are continuing the the final period of the 2019-20 school year.

HANCOCK — In a Friday, May 8, email, Superintendent Steve Patchin said that since the food distribution program began on March 16, the number of meals distributed is approaching 100,000 between Hancock Public Schools and the Houghton-Portage Township Schools. The program has been extended to June 30, he said, adding that school officials are currently applying to extend the program throughout the summer.

“As some of you know,” said Patchin, “we coordinate food distribution with Houghton Schools.”

For those households who have not filled out the Free and Reduced Hot Lunch Program applications that were mailed out last week, Patchin said he encourages everyone to fill out the application.

“We encourage all of you to fill it out, even if you don’t choose to participate in the program,” he said. “By filling it out, you help our District access funds from many different programs to support all our families and students.”

“It has been a challenging week for all public school administrators,” Patchin said, “as we continue to execute our new COVID-19 Learning Plans with our educational team.”

Among the main challenges is to creatively search for ways to plan and execute end-of-the year traditions for students, in an ever-changing environment. Another challenge at this point is how to begin planning for operations for the 2020/2021 school year in an environment filled with uncertainty.

“That is what our school boards hired us to do,” said Patchin, “and we will find a way to get it done with support from our educational teams and community.”