Summer program provides free meals for students throughout Arizona

PHOENIX — A summer program that provides free meals for low-income students throughout Arizona is underway.

More than 1,100 sites have been approved to take part in the state’s Summer Lunch Buddies campaign, which is part of the federally funded Summer Food Service Program.

“As with every summer, there’s additional sites that are added throughout the summer,” Dan Godzich, spokesman for Arizona Department of Education, told KTAR News 92.3 FM. “Some of the sites are already open and others will open soon.”

Most sites serve breakfast and lunch, and some include dinner or snacks. They will remain open through the first week of August.

“No child in Arizona should suffer from food insecurity just because school is out of session,” Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas said in a news release. “That’s why the Summer Food Services Program is so important.”

The program is for kids ages 18 and under, and parents can eat with their children, Godzich said. No registration or proof of income is necessary.

An interactive map with the locations and schedules is available at the AZ Health Zone website, or you can text FOOD to 877877 for information.

During the 2017 summer, more than 3.1 million free meals were served at 1,073 sites through the program.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Mark Carlson contributed to this report.

Related

Scottsdale Unified approves closure of two schools amid declining enrollmentAndy Biggs shares debate stage with No Labels candidate as Gov Katie Hobbs sits outDave Ramsey says: Bad things happen when you don’t save money!University of Arizona puts all fraternity chapters on ‘activities suspension’ amid investigationsASU hockey trainer reassigned weeks after Matthew Mayich incident, university gives no reasonWATCH: Andy Biggs, third-party candidates debate tonight as Governor Hobbs sits out