NNS Summer Survival Guide: Here’s where you can find free summer meals for students | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Trisha Young
June 27, 2023
Though school lunches are provided free to all Milwaukee County students through the Community Eligibility Program, many parents and guardians struggle to get access to the food necessary for their children during summer break.
Over 61% of Milwaukee County students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
The Summer Food Service Program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, ensures that children have access to nutritious meals during the summer period.
The Summer Food Service Program offers free breakfast, lunch and dinner at various locations.
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Here’s a list of places Milwaukee students can get the food they need. The meal options provided may vary depending on the specific location. For up-to-date times and locations of participating MPS schools, check out its Meal Program Updates Page. Or this document provided by MPS.
Locations include:
There are other resources as well. Among them:
USDA Summer Meals for Kids Site Finder
Click on the mapping tool above, created by the United States Department of Agriculture. It will help you easily search by city for places that offer meals to youths when school is not in session.
Call 2-1-1
By dialing the toll-free number 2-1-1, callers can access a wide range of health and human services available in their community at no cost.
Text ‘food’ to 304-304
Like the 2-1-1 number, this texting service will link you to available food resources in your community that are closest to your place of residence.
The National Hunger Hotline
The National Hunger Hotline, operated by Hunger Free America alongside the U.S. Department of Agriculture, serves as a valuable resource for individuals and families in need of food-related information.
Staffed by knowledgeable professionals, the hotline facilitates connections between callers and emergency food providers, government assistance programs and a range of social services within their community.
To reach the hotline, dial 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. Spanish speakers can access assistance by calling 1-877-8-HAMBRE.
In case you missed it: NNS Summer Survival Guide: Here’s a list of resources offered by Milwaukee Recreation to keep your kids active this summ