How does SFSP work?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds the Free Summer Meals program. The program was created in 1968 to help feed children over the summer.

In Illinois, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) helps USDA by finding sponsors for summer meals and rule enforcement. Sponsors work with ISBE to determine types of meals are best and complete administrative paperwork. Sponsors pay for the food up front and expect to be reimbursed for those meals. Sponsors then choose sites- specific places where kids can go to get meals. These sites provide the food to kids, set up activities for kids, and keep track of how many kids come every day. Sites are strategically located to help serve the greatest number of kids and the areas that need summer food the most.

For more information and updates on Summer Meals, visit us on Facebook at SummerMealsIllinois and follow us on Twitter at @SummerMealsIL.

We hope to see you at a Summer Meals site this summer!

A Hub for Summer Meals

August 1, 2019Tucked away in the Germano Millgate Apartment complex, the Center of Higher Development serves as a resource hub for the community. The Center offers summer camp, is an open Summer Meals site, runs an After-school program in the fall, and opens its computer lab to adults in the surrounding area. Director of the Center, Donna […]

Come for Food, Stay for Fun

June 17, 2019The parking lot of Ridge Lawn School served as the backdrop for the Chicago Ridge Public Library’s (CRPL) first of seven Summer Meals kick-off events. Kids eager to shake off the end of the day were attracted by Taylor Swift lyrics coming from the library’s tent. Kid’s that came by could sign up for a […]

Summer Meal Program Grants

March 7, 2019Rise & Shine Illinois in partnership with No Kid Hungry has grants available up to $5,000 to help organizations expand access to and participation in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) supported Summer Meal programs with the goal of increasing the number of kids receiving summer meals. The application deadline is March 31.

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