The Michigan National Guard will be sending its members to help staff four food banks across the state during the coronavirus crisis, state officials announced today.

They also announced a plan to allow restaurants to sell food and pantry items, which currently can be sold only by grocery and retail stores.

The four food banks are Ann Arbor, Comstock Park, Flint, and Pontiac. Approximately 10 Michigan National Guard members will be serving at each site.

Support to the food banks is scheduled to begin March 30 and is expected to continue through mid-April.

Michigan National Guard personnel will assist with mobile food distribution, which serves between 300 to 600 Michigan families daily, a press release said. Guard members will direct traffic for the drive-through distribution site and assist with packing bags of fruit and handing bags to cars.

State officials also announced a partnership between the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development that will enable restaurants to sell food and pantry items, which currently can be sold only by grocery and retail stores.

Through the new partnership, restaurants can receive training on proper labeling so they can sell food and pantry items directly to consumers, which not only offers more options to Michigan consumers, but also keeps the supply chain moving in more directions.

“Grocery stores are overwhelmed with unprecedented demand. The food supply chain for the restaurant industry is, vetted, reliable and a great resource to supplement traditional grocery stores,” said Justin Winslow, MRLA President and CEO. “Having restaurants sell typical grocery items will help support the extremely taxed grocery stores and provide customers with access to the essential food supplies they need.”

The MRLA has provided the guidance documents on its website for all industry members seeking to provide support to the grocery stores.

Whitmer announced the Michigan National Guard’s involvement in the state-wide response to COVID-19 on March 18. Since then, guard members have provided logistics support to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, assembling and loading critical personal protective gear such as gowns and face shields.

There are also members of the Michigan National Guard serving the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans and the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette. Their support includes temperature screening of all employees before they enter the homes, and ensuring screening protocols are being followed to protect resident veterans from the spread of COVID-19.

Read all of MLive’s coverage on the coronavirus at mlive.com/coronavirus.

Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

CORONAVIRUS PREVENTION TIPS

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus. Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible. Carry hand sanitizer with you, and use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home ( door handles, faucets, countertops) and when you go into places like stores.

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