Here's a list of restaurants offering free lunches to students while K-12 schools are closed
CHANNEL 5
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced on Sunday that all K-12 schools in the state will be closed for eight days starting on Wednesday. The measure was put in place to give teachers time to plan for distance learning to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Many kids rely on school lunches to stay fed during the day, and with the announcement that schools will be closing, several restaurants have said they will give free lunches to any students who need them while they're home from school.
Here's a list of places offering free meals:
Dunn Brothers Coffee in St. Michael is partnering with Westbridge Community Church to offer free lunches from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunches will be available for pickup at the Westbridge parking lot.
318 Cafe in Excelsior is providing free turkey, ham and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a side of fruit to all children in need.
Jersey Mike's Subs in St. Cloud is offering free kids meals with the purchase of a regular sub through March 27.
Great Harvest in Maple Grove is offering free bread and goody bags to families in need starting Monday.
Umi Sushi and Hibachi in Blaine will give out a free kid's size lo mein and a fountain drink during lunch hours to any child in need. No purchase is necessary.
Cafe Cravings in White Bear Lake is serving free meals of sandwiches and potato chips for kids from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Minnesota-based baking mix company Coconut Whisk Baking Co. is offering a week's worth of free pancake and waffle mixes.
Que Viet in Northeast Minneapolis will give away free fried rice starting on Wednesday.
Granite City Food & Brewery in Roseville and St. Cloud will provide free lunches containing turkey sandwiches, chips and applesauce. No purchase is necessary.
VIVO Kitchen in Apple Valley will be delivering lunches to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville starting Tuesday. More partnerships with churches are set to be announced.
Manea's Meats in Sauk Rapids will serve bag lunches consisting of turkey and cheese sandwiches, chips and bottled water. Lunches will be served starting at 11 a.m. No purchases are necessary.
Day by Day Cafe in St. Paul will provide hot dogs and chips to children who are home from school starting on Monday.
Piada Italian Street Food, which has locations in Eagan, Woodbury and the Mall of America, will be handing out free pasta with sauce, cheese and a fountain drink from 10:45 a.m.-1 p.m. from Monday through April 3.
Billy's on Grand in St. Paul is offering kids 14 and under free meals from the kid's menu from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Trapper's Bar and Grill in Lino Lakes will serve a free bag lunch, chips and applesauce starting Tuesday.
Chapala Mexican Restaurant in Cambridge will serve a free lunch to children starting Sunday.
Billy D's Crooked Tavern in Annandale will be providing free lunches that include a turkey sandwich, potato chips and yogurt starting Monday.
Frankie's in New Hope will be giving out free bag lunches, and kids can have a free meal if dining in.
Suzie's Kitchen in Rosemount is offering free lunches to students. They ask anyone who needs a meal to send them a message.
Eggroll Queen Cafe in Falcon Heights will provide kids with an egg roll, fruit and fried rice through March 27.
Ernie's on Gull in Brainerd and Main Street Ale House in Nisswa will be offering balanced meals to students starting 11 a.m. Monday.
Ha Long Bay in White Bear Lake will be serving free meals to kids who receive free and reduced price lunches from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. through March 27. No purchase is necessary.
Whiskey Inferno in Savage and Prior Lake will be giving out boxed lunches consisting of a sandwich, fruit cup, chips, a cookie and milk starting Tuesday. It will also have a collection for the local food shelf.
Manger Restaurant and Wine Bar in Bayport will leave sack lunches in coolers on its front patio. Lunches include a sandwich, banana, carrot sticks, peanut butter crackers and a juice box.
Lock and Dam Eatery in Hastings will make a bag lunch for pickup for those who call ahead.
Topper's Pizza in Blaine is offering free small pizzas during lunch hours.
Gracie's With a Cup of Joe in Le Center is delivering free boxed lunches to any child who needs one. Call 507-357-4816 or 952-564-4055 to schedule a delivery.
Bourbon Butcher in Farmington is offering boxed lunches consisting of a sandwich, a fruit cup, chips, a cookie and milk starting Tuesday. The restaurant will also be collecting donations for the Farmington Food Shelf.
Thirsty Buffalo Saloon in Buffalo, Minnesota, is offering bagged lunches with ham, turkey and cheese sandwiches, applesauce, chips and a brownie during normal business hours.
Bakery on Main in Waconia will offer free breakfast while schools are closed.
Rascals Bar and Grill in Apple Valley will offer free boxed lunches between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
El Tejaban in Richfield is offering free kids meals to all kids under 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through April 1.
North Country Cafe in Crosby will provide boxed lunches to all students starting Wednesday. Customers are asked to contact the restaurant by Tuesday so staff can prepare.