SPRINGFIELD — This summer, Illinois families can take advantage of free meals and snacks for children 18 and younger through federal programs administered by the Illinois State Board of Education. More than 1,000 sites across 72 counties are participating, with additional sites continuing to enroll throughout the summer. Families can find a nearby location by searching online, texting, or calling a hotline.
“No child should go hungry when school is out,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. “These programs make sure kids stay healthy and nourished all summer long, so they’re ready to learn when school is back in session. We’re grateful to every school and community organization that makes that possible.”
Currently, Illinois has 108 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors operating over 850 sites and 120 Seamless Summer Option (SSO) sponsors operating approximately 225 sites. Participation is expected to continue growing as additional sponsors and sites are approved and begin service during the summer months.
Families can locate the closest serving sites during the summer by:
- Visiting the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Meals for Kids Site Finder at https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sitefinder. Families are encouraged to check the Site Finder regularly throughout the summer, as new meal locations are added on an ongoing basis.
- Calling the USDA National Hunger Hotline, which is operated by Hunger Free America. The hotline can be reached at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273) for Spanish, from Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT.
- Texting “Summer” to 914-342-7744 to find a summer meal site in their area.
Parents and guardians are also encouraged to contact their schools with questions about available meal services. Last summer, Summer Meals programs operated in 74 of the state's 102 counties, serving more than 1 million meals and snacks to children across the state.
The USDA has expanded the availability of a non-congregate meal service option for qualifying sponsors in certain rural areas to help expand access to meals. Traditional meals are required to be consumed onsite, but this flexibility allows for grab-and-go meals when requirements are met. Families should check their area of the state for available meal services.
Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form online, or obtain the form from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant's name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
- Mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or - Fax: 833-256-1665 or 202-690-7442; or
- Email: program.intake@usda.gov
Visit ISBE’s Summer Food Service Program webpage or the Seamless Summer Option webpage for more information.
