Free Summer Meals for Champaign-Urbana Area Children

Hunger can often be invisible. Help us ensure that no child goes hungry this summer.

We have a comprehensive list of places where you can find free meal distribution for kids in the communities of Champaign, Urbana, Rantoul and Mahomet while school is out

While many of us may spend the summer lazily snacking all day, the reality is that in our communities, hunger is a significant problem — especially among children. Many kids who rely on school meals struggle to get enough to eat during the summer months. And with prices soaring at the grocery store, food insecurity is a very real issue for many families as we head into the summer break.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture partners with local agencies nationwide to serve free meals to children during the summer months, also known as the Summer Food Program. Any child under age 18 is eligible for free meals; there are no restrictions or residency requirements. Some of the sites we list below are noted as Summer Food Program sites.

To locate a site near you, visit SummerMealsIllinois.org, call the Illinois Hunger Hotline at (800) 359-2163 or text FoodIL to 877877. Se habla español. All locations may not be found on this map yet.

CHAMPAIGN

Champaign Unit 4 School District: Unit 4 is offering free meals to children and teens 18 and younger this summer through the Summer Meal Program. The meals will be offered from June through July at various Unit 4 locations. Lunch will be served; please check the schedule on the website here as times and dates vary. You can also check the lunch menus on the Unit 4 website.

Sites include the following elementary schools: Bottenfield, Dr. Howard, Stratton and Westview. Meals will also be offered at Jefferson Middle School and Centennial High School at varying times.

Champaign Urbana Public Health District: CUPHD is partnering with a number of Champaign-Urbana area summer youth programs this year. For more info call (217) 531-4300.

URBANA

Urbana School District #116: USD 116 is offering free meals to children and teens 18 and younger this summer through the Summer Meal Program. The meals will be offered from June through the middle of July at various USD 116 locations, no registration needed. Breakfast and lunch will be served; please check the schedule on its website as times and dates vary.

All children meeting the age requirement will be provided with food regardless of summer school enrollment or home of record. Individuals 18 or older with a state-defined mental or physical disability will also be provided with free meals.

Sites include the following elementary schools: King, Leal, Dr. Williams, Wiley and Yankee Ridge. Meals will also be offered at Urbana Middle School and Urbana High School at varying times.

MAHOMET

Candlewood Estates: Open to all children, free lunches in Mahomet will began May 31, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m, Monday through Friday. Lunch is served at the Pool House of Candlewood Estates, 808 N. Prairieview Road by area church groups. Contact the office at Candlewood Estates with questions, (217) 586-4937.

Mahomet Area Youth Club: Will not be a Summer Food Program site for this year.

RANTOUL

Rantoul Youth Center: A Summer Meal Program site, lunch is offered to all children 18 and under at the Rantoul Youth Center, 1306 Country Club Lane, Monday thru Friday, June 6 through Aug. 12.

Rantoul City Schools: Meals are available for students enrolled in summer school only.

OTHER FOOD OPTIONS

Follow the Eastern Illinois Foodbank on Facebook to find the dates of where the Foodmobile will be and how to get registered for food distribution near you.

Is there a site in our area providing free summer meals to kids that we missed? Please email us and let us know so we can keep this post updated.

Champaign-Urbana Area Free Summer Meals for Children