Here's where kids can get free meals this summer

Children can get free summertime lunches at dozens of locations throughout the Chicago area as part of the federal Summer Food Service Program.

Sites are sponsored by groups such as the Geneva-based Northern Illinois Food Bank, which served more than 285,000 meals in its 13-county coverage area last summer.

"Summer is actually the hungriest time of year for many local children," said Elizabeth Gartman, a spokeswoman for the food bank. "Families facing food insecurity often struggle to provide enough nutritious food to their children for all three meals during summer vacation."

Free lunches are available for kids 18 or younger.

The program also is open to anyone over 18 who's enrolled in a state-approved educational program for people with mental or physical disabilities.

Suburban sites include:

• The Dundee Library in East Dundee.

• The Hanover Township Izaak Walton Center in Elgin.

• St. Francis Park in Elgin.

• The South Elgin Community UMC Church.

• The First Baptist Church in Wheaton.

Some facilities offer free breakfast and lunch to kids in need. They include:

• The Addison Public Library.

• Golfview Elementary School in Carpentersville and several other Community Unit District 300 campuses.

• Currier Elementary School in West Chicago.

• Beacon Place in Waukegan.

Some facilities only offer free breakfasts to needy children. Among them are Lincoln Elementary School, Lake Louise Elementary School and Marion Jordan Elementary School in Palatine and the Falcon Park Recreation Center in Palatine.

Start and end dates vary by location, as do service times.

For more information about these sites or to find other Summer Food Service Program locations, go to: fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks.