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Free Summer Meals for Youth
CHA is continuing the fight against childhood hunger through its annual participation in the Summer Food Service Program by hosting 39 Summer Food sites in or near CHA developments.
The Agency's Summer Food Service Program sites provide breakfast and lunch in partnership with the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, through its grant from the Illinois State Board of Education, which receives federal funds for distribution in Illinois from the USDA.
Children who receive food assistance at school during the school year need nutritional meals during the summer as well. The Summer Food Service Program ensures that all children and youth have access to healthy meals in a safe, supervised environment.
There is no cost. All summer meals offered through the ISBE/USDA Summer Food Service Program sites are FREE to youth ages 18 and younger and to persons 18 - 23 who have a mental or physical disability. The program begins the first weekday after the last day of school for Chicago Public Schools and ends on the last day of summer before school begins in the fall. Food distribution is handled by CHA residents who are hired through the Transitional Jobs program, funded by CHA.
To find a Summer Meal site your community, please visit http://www.summerfeedingillinois.org, call the Illinois Hunger Coalition Hotline at 1-800-359-2163, or text FoodIL to 877-877.
To find out how to bring a Summer feeding site to your community, please visit the Illinois State Board of Education's website.
Download list of CHA sponsored Summer Food Sites
If you're in need of emergency or supplemental food, please visit Feeding Illinois. There you can receive more information on local pantries and food banks near you.
There's also the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as the Food Stamp Program. For information on how to apply for SNAP, please visit the Illinois Department of Human Services. Download these forms to read the truth about qualifying for SNAP. (Downloads: English or Spanish version)