News About Town: After a bit of nail biting and back-and-forth, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will close for at least two weeks in response to COVID-19. Initially the school board announced an early spring break as an alternative that would allow teachers and staff to be paid while off. On Saturday it was announced all K-12 public schools will be closed for two weeks under a declaration by the governor and state health department. Through the executive order teachers will be paid.
News Around Town: Two months ago “social distancing” wasn’t a part of common vernacular. With school closures and businesses emphasizing less interaction to limit the spread of Coronavirus, financial hardships are certain for some. Local businesses are stepping up to ease the hardship. The Loyalist Market, Good Cup Coffee, VeloPops, Your Mom's Donuts, CPCC, and a handful of Charlotte-area businesses are partnering to provide food to children who rely on schools for their meals. Chris Sottile, owner of (and mastermind behind) the Loyalist Market, has figured out how much it will cost for to provide 250 sandwich lunches for the next two weeks. Those are students who rely on the School Lunch Program and the staff preparing the lunches are skilled workers who otherwise wouldn’t be earning a paycheck during this period of social distancing. Want to help? They’ve organized a Go Fund Me. According to Chris, “You'll be backing a strong, honest group of local businesses that are committed to utilizing 100% of your funds towards each of their most insecure youth.“