Providence closes city buildings; offers free lunches to students impacted by schools closing

City will provide free "grab and go lunches" at several schools starting March 17

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)- Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza announced Friday that city buildings will close Saturday until March 30.

The list of impacted buildings includes City Hall, all recreation centers, the Museum of Natural History, and the Botanical Center at Roger Williams Park.

Non-essential staff have been asked to stay home during the two-week closure. The city will attempt to conduct business online during the closure.

The move comes on top of the state-wide closures of all public schools for the next week.

As a means to ensure that children still receive lunches during the school closing, the school district will make “grab and go” lunches available starting March 17.

Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., service lines will provide the free lunches outside eight schools across the city. Residents will not be allowed inside schools during the closing. The service is available only to Providence Public School students, and the student must be present to receive the lunch. The service will continue until schools are reopened.

The schools offering the lunches are:

Asa Messer Elementary School, 1655 Westminster St.

·         Gilbert Stuart Middle School, 188 Princeton St.

·         Providence Career and Technical Academy, 41 Fricker St.

·         Mt. Pleasant High School, 434 Mt. Pleasant Ave.

·         Alvarez High School, 375 Adelaide Ave.

·         E-Cubed Academy, 812 Branch Ave.

·         Juanita Sanchez High School, 182 Thurbers Ave.

·         Hope High School, 324 Hope St.