For kids who rely on school for healthy meals, summer can be a time of hunger. But communities across the country are taking care of kids through summer meals programs, and we’re making sure they get the resources they need.

A big part of our work during the summer is making sure families know where to get help. Our Free Meals Finder services let parents quickly find free summer meals sites in their neighborhoods. This year we’ve added a WhatsApp service, in addition to our texting line and website, to better reach immigrant families.

But we’re also more hopeful this summer than we’ve been in a long time. You see, Congress recently passed a new law making it easier for rural communities to deliver meals to children or offer pick-up services – as well as providing a monthly benefit for every child who needs it to help their families buy food.

These two big changes to the national summer meals program are going to help a lot of kids. No Kid Hungry fought hard for years for these improvements, and we couldn’t be more grateful to all our supporters who advocated for children.

There’s a lot of work to do rolling out these changes and helping families and communities understand them, but we’re looking forward to a brighter summer for kids everywhere. 

WAYS TO HELP!

• ACT. Summer Meals Resource List

Many organizations are working hard to ensure children have access to the meals they need while schools are out of session. Summer meal programs are available in a variety of places across communities, including libraries, recreation centers, and other community gathering places. Anyone can be a champion for summer meals to raise community awareness of programs currently offered and to support the development of new summer meal sites.

To equip summer meals champions with information and resources, a group of participants in the Healthy Food Community of Practice created this list of resources from national organizations, state advocates, and USDA on summer meals. Resources include guidance on a range of topics including ways to access meals, how to become a summer meals site or sponsor, examples from other programs, and more.

• DONATE. Just $10 can help provide up to 100 meals for hungry kids.

No Kid Hungry works with schools, community organizations and local leaders across the country to connect kids to the food they need. Your generous donations will help end summer hunger for kids across the country.

• SPREAD THE WORD. Use the toolkit and #ShareSummer

Starting this summer, families should text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304 to find a site near them. This toolkit includes a range of ready-made promotional materials to help publicize summer meals in your community. Available in English and Spanish, use this resource to maximize the impact of outreach efforts in schools, faith communities, community organizations, social media, and more!

Also, starting May 23, you can use WhatsApp to find free summer meals for kids and teens in your community! Families can visit NoKidHungry.org/WhatsApp to find local summer meal sites.