St. Charles schools expand free meal program through June

Thanks to the expansion of a federal program, St. Charles Unit District 303 announced that it is extending its free meal program through June.

The Summer Food Service Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will allow schools to offer meals to anyone 18 and younger in an effort to mitigate the financial ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic. District 303 officials are trying to get the word out while offering numerous locations and times for families to pick up meals on Mondays and Thursdays for the next eight months.

"It's free to everyone," said Carol Smith, District 303 communications and community relations director. "You don't have to show a need. You don't have to give your name. You don't have to tell what ages your kids are or what schools they go to. You can pick up a meal."

In-person students get their meals at school including high school students who can take "grab-and-go" meals on their way home. For students learning remotely, there are several options for picking up meals on Mondays and Thursdays.

Meals can be picked up at St. Charles elementary schools from 2 to 2:30 p.m. at the main offices. The middle schools offer pickup from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. and 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. St. Charles East and St. Charles North high schools also have two pickup times, from 7:30 to 8 a.m. and 2:45 to 4:30 p.m.

In addition to that, meals are available at Cumberland Green Apartments and St. Charles Place Apartments from 11 a.m. to noon on Mondays and Thursdays. Up to seven days' worth of meals can be picked up at a given time.

Because it's a federal program, people don't have to be within the district boundaries to qualify. Someone from District 303, for example, can get meals in nearby Elgin Area School District U-46.

"We've been trying to communicate to our families as much as possible," Smith said. "We want to make sure everyone knows this program is out there."