U-46 urges students to take advantage of Summer Meals Program
Elgin Area School District U-46 is urging students to get the nutrition they need at about a dozen community sites and two schools serving summer meals.
The federally-funded Summer Meals Program aims to keep children on track with healthy habits during summer vacation.
Since June 9, an average 937 breakfast meals daily has been served through seven U-46 school sites, of which five will close by Wednesday. However, students 18 and younger still can get lunch at Harriet Gifford Elementary School, 240 S. Clifton Ave., Elgin, and supper at Larsen Middle School, 665 Dundee Ave., Elgin.
"We will have served 25,887 meals at these seven schools by Wednesday," U-46 spokeswoman Mary Fergus said. "Last year, we served 24,369 meals at six schools."
The state's second-largest school district serves more than 40,000 students in 11 communities.
Meals also are being served within the district in parks, churches, community centers and other schools in Elgin, Bartlett, Hanover Park, West Chicago, Carol Stream and Hoffman Estates. Two sites in Elgin are serving supper.
"This is a great program that helps alleviate parental concern about feeding their children when school is not in session," U-46 CEO Tony Sanders said. "It's critical that students continue healthy habits, including eating regular nutritious meals, throughout the summer so they're better prepared to succeed once school doors open again Aug. 17."
The Illinois State Board of Education administers the Summer Meals Program - funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture - at roughly 2,300 sites statewide.
Meals must meet the nutrition standards of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. They are meant to provide consistent, dependable nutrition to students who might not otherwise have such access.
Students will not be asked to show proof of family income to get a meal at many sites.
Parents should call to confirm meal hours before sending their children. Families also can text "FoodIL" or "AlimentosIL" to 877-877 to get location information and serving times in English and Spanish for the nearest site serving summer meals.