Northern Illinois Food Bank kicks off free Summer Meals Program for kids

No ID or registration required; walk-ups welcome

Food bank will serve 7,500 free meals to kids and teens daily across 13 counties this summer

Summer is often the hungriest time of year for children. While more than 20 million kids in the U.S. rely on free or reduced-price school meals during the academic year, those meals disappear when school lets out, leaving many families struggling to fill the gap.

To meet this urgent need, Northern Illinois Food Bank is once again launching its Free Summer Meals for Kids program, running June 2 to Aug. 15.

In partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education, the Food Bank will provide 7,500 free meals daily to kids across 13 counties in suburban and rural Northern Illinois. No ID, registration, or proof of income is required and walk-ups are welcome. Children must be 18 years old or younger and meals must be consumed on-site.

“Summer meals are a lifeline for families,” said Julie Yurko, president and CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank. “More than 4,000 schools in Northern Illinois participate in the National School Lunch Program, and over 1 million students — about 51% — rely on free or reduced-price meals during the school year.

“When school is out, many of these children are at risk of summer hunger,” Yurko said. “That’s why we’re committed to ensuring every child has the nutritious food they need to grow, learn, and thrive all year long.”

Summer Meals for Kids

Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Summer Food Service Program, these meals are available at eligible sites including parks, libraries, churches, schools, and community centers from June 2 to Aug. 15. Meals must be consumed on-site and are completely free, with no registration, ID, or income requirements.

Northern Illinois Food Bank provides fresh meals at 145 Summer Meal sites across its 13-county service area. All lunches follow USDA meal pattern guidelines and include a grain, protein, milk, and two fruits or vegetables, ensuring kids receive balanced, nutritious meals to support their health and development.

Some locations also offer enrichment activities like reading programs, games, and outdoor play, helping kids stay active and engaged while receiving nutritious food.

To find a nearby summer meal site, visit solvehungertoday.org/child-nutrition-programs (click the Summer Meals tab) or call (800) 359-2163.

Direct link to open walk-up summer meals sites in Northern Illinois (Boone, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Kankakee, Lake, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will, and Winnebago is available via a Google Drive link, “2025 SFSP open sites.”

New in 2025! Family Fresh Mart

This year, Northern Illinois Food Bank is excited to launch Family Fresh Mart, a new mobile summer food initiative replacing Meals on the Move. Open to families with no ID or registration required, Family Fresh Mart brings nutritious boxed lunches for kids and free fresh produce for families to convenient neighborhood locations between June 9 to Aug. 1.

Family Fresh Mart locations and hours are:

• Tuesdays at the Addison Public Library, 4 Friendship Plaza, Addison, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Wednesdays at Lords Park, 100 Oakwood Blvd., Elgin, 60120, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Fridays at McCarty Park, Aurora, 350 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, from 11 a.m. to noon; and Plum Park, Aurora, 619 Plum St., Aurora, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Summer EBT gives families $120 boost

Illinois families can also apply to receive a one-time Summer EBT benefit of $120 for each eligible child. Benefits are distributed on a preloaded electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card and can be used at authorized retail locations, including some farmers’ markets.

Summer EBT provides families with a monthly grocery benefit to feed their children for three summer months (June, July, August) when children are not receiving free or reduced-price meals at school.

For more information about Summer EBT benefit, reach out Northern Illinois Food Bank’s SNAP team at (844) 600-7627 or snap@northernilfoodbank.org, or visit SolveHungerToday.org.

About Northern Illinois Food Bank

For over 40 years, Northern Illinois Food Bank has been dedicated to solving hunger and empowering neighbors. Its vision at Northern Illinois Food Bank is for everyone in Northern Illinois to have the food they need to thrive. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and proud member of Feeding America, they serve individuals in 13 counties with dignity, equity and convenience, providing 250,000 meals a day. The food bank brings together manufacturers, local and corporate grocers, area farmers, corporations, foundations, and individuals who donate food and funding. Each week nearly 1,000 volunteers help evaluate, repack, and distribute food. They also partner with more than 900 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and youth and senior feeding programs to provide nutritious food and resources. The distribution centers are located in Geneva, Lake Forest, Rockford, and Joliet.

Find out how you can get help, volunteer, donate or get involved at SolveHungerToday.org, or follow Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Walk-up summer meals sites

DUPAGE COUNTY

• Addison Public Library, 4 Friendship Plaza: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. weekdays, June 2 to Aug. 1

• Bensenville Community Public Library, 200 S. Church Road: 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. weekdays, June 9 to Aug. 8

• Ellyn Crossing, 440 Gregory Ave., Glendale Heights: 5:30-6 p.m. Monday to Thursday, June 2 to Aug. 14

• Glen Hill Elementary School, 1324 Bloomingdale Road, Glendale Heights: 8-8:30 a.m. and 9:30-11:30 a.m. Monday to Thursday, July 14-31.

• Izaak Walton Youth Center, 899 Jay St., Elgin: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. with snacks from 2-2:30 p.m. weekdays, June 2 to Aug. 8.

• Villa Park Public Library, 305 S. Ardmore Ave.: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, June 3 to Aug. 7.

KANE COUNTY

• APS Training Academy, 105 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora: 11:45 a.m.-12:40 p.m. Monday to Thursday, July 7-31

• At Risk Mentoring, 1002 Four Seasons Blvd., Aurora: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday to Thursday, June 9 to July 25

• College Green Park, 1900 College Green Drive, Elgin: 11 a.m.-noon Monday to Wednesday, July 21-30

• Cornerstone Park, 1540 Mulberry Lane, Elgin: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, June 2 to Aug. 1

• Lords Park, 205 Grand Blvd., Elgin: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, June 2 to Aug. 1

• McCarty Park, 350 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora: 11 a.m.-noon Fridays, June 2 to Aug. 1

• Plum Park, 337 Plum St., Aurora: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Fridays, June 2 to Aug. 1,

• St. Francis Park, 277 Jefferson Ave., Elgin: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, June 2 to Aug. 1.

LAKE COUNTY

• Fox Lake District Library, 255 E. Grand Ave.: noon-1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, June 2 to Aug. 13

• Waukegan Housing Authority -The Bluffs, 577 S. Genesee St., Waukegan: 1-2 p.m. Monday to Thursday, June 4 to Aug. 7

• Zion Benton Public Library, 2400 Gabriel Ave., Zion: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday to Thursday, June 9 to Aug. 14

MCHENRY COUNTY

• First United Methodist Church, 236 W. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake: 11:15 a.m.-noon Mondays, June 9 to Aug. 11

• Ladd Park, 556 Coventry Lane, Crystal Lake: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. weekdays, June 2 to Aug. 15

• McHenry Public Library, 809 N. Front St.: noon-1 p.m. weekdays, June 2 to Aug. 15

• Youth and Family Center, 1011 N. Green St., McHenry: noon-1 p.m. and snacks from 2-4 p.m. Monday to Thursday, June 9 to July 24.