Becky Richaigson, of 7-Eleven, Washington Avenue, on the HIll.

EECS Principal Boyd Marley Prepares to Deliver Laptops to Students Needing Them for Homework While Portland Public Schools are on Closed.

“I’ve worked here for 21 years and I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Becky Richaigson, at the 7-Eleven on Washington Avenue early this afternoon.  Business is off about 80% at the popular gas station/convenience store.  “We are grateful that our faithful customers still show up,” she added.

Last week Portland Public School Superintendent Bontana announced that Portland schools would be closed until April 27, 2010 because of the coronavirus.

At East End Community School, North Street, on the HIll, city employees were handing out breakfast and lunch bags to those waiting in line.  Some students, those without computers at home on which to do their homework, were lent laptops to achieve that purpose.  Between 10:00 am and 11:00 am this morning, over 100 meals in brown paper bags were distributed to those waiting for them according to Boyd Marley, principal of EECS.  At least 55% of the students at EECS are English language learners Marley said.

The Meal Distribution Program will continue daily although the laptop distribution program was just for this morning.  The meal distribution program runs from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon daily at the nine distribution sites (public schools) in Portland.  (Please see post herein dated March 20, 2020 for more information on the Meal Distribution Program).

note:  Maine now has 107 diagnosed cases of the coronavirus.  Twelve people have been hospitalized and 2,700 have been tested.