What’s open & closed, lunch to be served at Muskegon High School, where to find warming centers in our area, and more to know as bitter cold persists this Thursday, Jan. 31

As dangerously cold weather persists here in Muskegon, including wind chill factors reaching as low as 35 degrees below zero, we’ve compiled some information we hope is helpful during this polar vortex.

Muskegon Public Schools to offer lunch

MPS will provide a lunch at Muskegon High School for children 18 years old or younger on Thursday, Jan. 31. An adult must accompany the student. Lunch will be served from 2-4pm. The Sanford Street lot and entrance will be open.

“The weather is a great concern but we want to give our scholars and families the opportunity to have a meal,” Muskegon Public Schools wrote on its Facebook page. “Please exercise your discretion on travel. We do not want children to be walking alone, therefore we are requiring an adult.”

Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System to serve dinner

The Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System will offer dinner at Dr. Martin Luther King Academy Elementary (55 E. Sherman Blvd.) for school-aged children. Dinner will be served from 5-7pm on Thursday, Jan. 31. During the dinner, Kids’ Food Basket will provide additional food for the weekend. More than 300 Kids’ Food Basket supper packs and fresh fruit will be available for students to bring home.

Warming stations in Muskegon

• Muskegon Rescue Mission at 400 W. Laketon Ave., 231-727-6085
• Muskegon Rescue Mission at 1691 Peck St., 231-727-6090
• Muskegon Rescue Mission at 870 W. Sherman Blvd., 231-755-3307
• Salvation Army at 1221 Shonat St., 231-773-3284, until 5pm only.

Trash pick-up

Because of the weather, garbage will not be picked up in the city of Muskegon on Thursday. Regular trash service is expected to resume Friday. Those with missed trash pick-ups on Wednesday and Thursday will be picked up next week.

Turning the heat down

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Consumers Energy have asked residents and businesses to turn their thermostats to 65 degrees following a fire at a Consumers Energy facility on Wednesday. Find out more information by clicking here.

Assistance with paying heat bills

The Michigan Public Service Commission provides $50 million for heating help through the Michigan Energy Assistance Program, which offers support for households struggling to pay utility bills.

The following community agencies help with the MEAP application process: Salvation Army, TrueNorth Community Services, The Heat and Warmth Fund, and Michigan Community Action, among others. Click on any of the above names for contact information.

Anyone having difficulties paying utility bills should call their local electric or natural gas provider and enroll in help programs. For Consumers Energy Co., dial (800) 477-5050; for DTE Energy Co., (800) 477-4747.

For issues with utilities, call the MPSC Customer Assistance line at (800) 292-9555, or dial 211.

What’s open today (if you know of others, comment below or email us at muskegontimes@gmail.com and we’ll add them to the list)

• Abeshi Ghanaian Cuisine
• Art Cats Gallery
• BananaDog
• Cinema Carousel
• Chicken Coop
• Coffee Factory
• Drip Drop Drink Cafe
• El Tapatio
• Getty Street Grill
• The Griffin’s Rest
• Hank’s Tavern
• Harbor Cinema
• Health Hutt
• House of Hobbies
• Los Amigos Mexican Bar & Grill
• Lefty & Romos
• Morat’s Bakery will be open until 3pm
• Muskegon Winter Sports Complex
• Pigeon Hill Brewing Company
• Pints and Quarts
• Rootdown Yoga
• Ryke’s Bakery
• Sherman Bowling Center
• Teddy Spaghetti’s
• The Front Porch
• The Station Grill
• Wasserman’s Flowers and Gifts

What’s closed today

If you know of other closings, please email us at muskegontimes@gmail.com and we’ll add them to the list.

Schools: Baker College, Fruitport Community Schools, Holton Public Schools, Muskegon Public Schools, Muskegon Heights Public Schools, Mona Shores Public Schools, Montague Area Public Schools, Whitehall District Schools, Reeths Puffer Schools, Oakridge Public Schools, Orchard View Schools, Muskegon Catholic Schools, Muskegon Covenant Academy, Muskegon Montessori Academy, Muskegon Community College.

Transportation: MARC Route 115 (Muskegon to Montague).

Libraries: Hackley Public Library, Muskegon Area District Library, Fruitport District Library.

Hackley Community Care Center:  HealthWest and Hackley Community Care’s Integrated Health Clinic at HealthWest will be closed.

United Way of the Lakeshore is closed.

Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore is closed.

Museums: The Muskegon Museum of Art and the Lakeshore Museum Center.

Restaurants: Boar’s Belly, Courses Restaurant, 18th Amendment, Hamburger Mikey, Hennessy’s Pub, US 31 BBQ, The Cheese Lady, The Sweet Spot

Stores/galleries: The Cheese Lady, Red Lotus Center for the Arts, Skye Blu Boutique & Jewelry

If you know of other information that should be included in this round-up, please email us at muskegontimes@gmail.com and we’ll add it to this list. Stay safe and warm, everyone!