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. According to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, the following location, dates and times are applicable. (The Unit 4 website as of publication does not contain information.)

Central High School: June 4-July 12, breakfast 8:30-10:15 a.m., lunch 11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Stratton Elementary: June 4-July 6, breakfast 8:30-9 a.m., lunch 10:50-11:30 a.m.

Franklin Middle School: June 4-July 12, breakfast 8-9 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.-noon

Washington Elementary: June 4-July 13, breakfast 8-8:30 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Dr. Howard Elementary: June 4-July 26, breakfast 8-8:30 a.m., lunch noon-1 p.m.

Bottenfield Elementary: June 11-July 20, breakfast 8-8:30 a.m., lunch 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

International Prep Academy: July 9-Aug. 2, AM snack time 9-9:30 a.m., lunch 11-11:30 a.m.

Champaign Urbana Public Health District: CUPHD is offering meals at the following times at 201 W. Kenyon Road, Champaign: May 29-Aug. 10, breakfast 9-10:30 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 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.

Meals will be available at the following locations at the following times:

June 5 – June 29, 2023 | Monday-Thursday (No meals Monday, June 19)

King Elementary, 1108 W. Fairview, Urbana
- Breakfast: 8-9 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Urbana Middle School, 1201 S. Vine, Urbana
- Breakfast: 8-9:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 12-12:30 p.m.

June 12 – June 29, 2023 | Monday-Thursday (No meals Monday, June 19)

Leal Elementary, 312 W. Oregon, Urbana
- Breakfast: 8:30-8:45 a.m.
- Lunch: 12:30-1 p.m.

June 5–July 13, 2023 | Monday-Thursday (No meals on June 19, July 3 and July 4)

Urbana High School, 1002 S. Race, Urbana
- Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

July 10 -July 14, 2023, Monday–Friday*

Leal School, 312 W. Oregon, Urbana
- Breakfast: 9-9:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 12:10-1 p.m.

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.

MAHOMET

Candlewood Estates: Open to all children, free lunches in Mahomet will begin June 5, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m, Monday through Friday. Lunch will be available to be picked up at the office of Candlewood Estates, 808 N. Prairieview Road by area church groups. Contact the office at Candlewood Estates with questions, (217) 586-4937.

RANTOUL

Rantoul City Schools: Meals are available at J.W. Eater Junior High, Northview Elementary School and Broadmeadow Elementary School. In the past they have been for summer school students only. The Village of Rantoul Youth Center has also offered a meals program in recent years.

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