Wanted: Sponsors, feeding sites for Summer Meals program

The Illinois State Board of Education and its partner No Kid Hungry seek nonprofit organizations to serve as sponsors for the Summer Meals program.

The federally-funded program provides healthy nutritious meals to kids, age 18 and younger.

Children need healthy food all year long in order to grow and learn.

During the school year, many Illinois children receive free- and reduced-price meals through the School Breakfast and National School Lunch Programs.

But, when school is out for the summer, these same children are at risk of hunger or poor nutrition.

The Summer Meals program is designed to ensure that children have access to the nutritious meals they need to grow, learn and play during the summer months and to help ensure their bodies and minds are healthy, strong and ready for the next school year.

Find out more through a Summer Meals information session to be held in Elgin on Thursday, Feb. 26, from 10 a.m. to noon in the Meadows Community Room at Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin.

Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor, a feeding site or wanting to promote the program are welcome to attend.

To register, contact Suzy Lee at slee@gcfd.org or (773) 843-2604.

For more information about the Summer Meals program, call the Summer Food Program at the Illinois State Board of Education, (800) 545-7892.