Summer Meals program serves low-income students

The Illinois State Board of Education's Summer Meals program aims to ensure low-income students have access to nutritious meals during the summer break.

School districts, local government entities and nonprofit organizations serve as summer food sites to provide children free, healthy meals and snacks all summer long.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Summer Food Service Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"Hunger does not stop when summer vacation starts," State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith said. "All children deserve access to nutritious meals year-round and we are delighted to continue to bring this program to Illinois communities."

More than 2,300 sites are expected to serve free meals, including breakfast and lunch, to children and teens ages 18 and younger throughout Illinois during summer vacation. At more than half the sites, children and teens will not have to apply for or show any proof of family income to receive a meal.

"Poor nutrition during the summer months can affect children's academic performance during the school year," said Tim English, Midwest regional administrator for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. "The USDA's summer feeding programs help children get the nourishing food they need all year long so they come back to school in the fall ready to learn."

Families can search for a nearby site offering free meals at summerfeedingillinois.org or text the words "FoodIL" in English and "AlimentosIL" in Spanish to 877-877. Upon texting, they will be prompted to send a ZIP code to receive the address and serving times of the closest summer meals sites. Residents can also call the Illinois Hunger Coalition's hunger hotline at (800) 359-2163.

In the summer of 2013, Illinois program sites served meals to nearly 107,000 children - 14 percent of the nearly 775,000 children who ate free or reduced-priced meals during the 2012-13 school year.

To become a Summer Meals site, call (800) 545-7892.