Champaign County Restaurants Offer Free Kids Meals During School Closures
The Champaign-Urbana area is full of extremely generous communities during “normal” times, so perhaps it’s no surprise that we have businesses and organizations that are stepping up in an extraordinary way during the coronavirus pandemic that has turned all of our lives upside down.
Here we will keep a running list of the restaurants offering free food to kids — most at lunchtime on weekdays, but read carefully for exceptions. We have collected locations in Champaign, Savoy, Rantoul, Gibson City, Fisher, and Tuscola so far. Please email us (editor@chambanamoms.com) with additions. Note that some of these restaurants have not yet updated with how they plan to proceed after the state of Illinois mandated closure of all dine-in restaurants after Monday night 3/16/2020, so please keep checking back for further information or contact the restaurants directly with any questions.
Since many school districts were scheduled to be closed this week for Spring Break, school meals will not be provided until the week of March 23. Preliminary info on school food distribution can be found here.
- For Champaign Unit 4 COVID-19 updates, click here.
- For Urbana 116 COVID-19 updates, click here.
Champaign-Urbana Metro Updates, from Closures to Public Health Info | Social Distancing: How to Keep Kids Busy | First Case of Coronavirus Confirmed in Champaign County | Closures of Local Institutions, Park Districts and More | Champaign, Urbana School Districts Announce Food Distribution Plans | It’s OK to be Sad
CHAMPAIGN
Maize, downtown at the Station
Starting on Monday through Friday from 11AM through 3pm Maize at the Station will be providing free lunch meals to all kids through school closings. Kids will be given the option of our Mexican sandwich (torta) or Quesadilla along with a serving a rice, beans and juice. Just ask for our Kids Special and we will know. No purchase is required by a parent.
“We stand by our words of maintaining great responsibility as a local business towards everyone.We are incredibly humbled and grateful that we are in a position to help.”
Send them some love on Facebook!
100 N. Chestnut St.
El Toro, all Champaign locations:
“Any kids who are in need of lunch while school is suspended may visit our Champaign locations from 11-2 Monday through Friday and we will give you a kids menu meal for free. We hope this helps in some small way.”
Take care of yourselves, Your El Toro Friends
Send them some love on Facebook!
El Toro Bravo, 2561 W Springfield Ave
El Toro II, 723 S Neil St
El Toro Mexican Restaurant, 3401 Fields S Dr
McAlister’s Deli, Champaign
Stop by McAlister’s Deli from 11am – 1pm, Monday through Friday. Every kid can receive a free sack lunch that contains a turkey and cheese sandwich, chips, applesauce and a cookie. Completely free, no other purchase is necessary.
“We want to do our part to make sure our friends get through this challenging time. So take this worry off your plate, and put it on ours. We will get through it. Together.”
Send them some love on Facebook!
421 Town Center Road
Wingstop, Champaign
Wingstop will give all students from grades K-12 a 5-piece boneless wing lunch combo from 11a-2p, Mon-Fri till the end of the month. For those students who have an ID, please bring your (or your child’s) school ID at time of pickup.
“We must come together and stand collectively as a community and take care of the ones we love and cherish the most. We have appreciated all of you from day one and now is the time for us to show you how much we appreciate you. Now is the time for us to stand together as one unified community.”
Send them some love on Facebook!
512 S. Neil St.
Sticky Rice, Champaign
They are offering half orders of fried rice or pan-fried noodles of any variety to children ages 12 and under from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Mon-Fri. Pick up food for take-out, or call from your car and a staff member will bring your order out.
“Growing up in an immigrant family, we understand what it feels like to not have enough food on the table. We are thankful for our customers and the community for the support during these difficult times. Stay healthy & safe??”
Send them some love on Facebook!
415 N. Neil St.
Jet’s Pizza, both Champaign locations
Both Champaign Jet’s stores will be offering free Cheese Slices to kids Pre-K through Middle School from 11 AM to 2 PM on Saturday and Sunday over the next 3 weekends, starting 3/21/2020. This will be pick-up and carryout only; dine-in is closed.
“We decided to pick up the slack on the weekends to ensure food is available every day during this pandemic time. If any parent has questions, please feel free to call either store. The health and safety of our customers and staff is of utmost concern to us, and every precaution will be taken to practice safe food handling and personal hygiene.”
512 S. Neil St., 217-352-3333
1907 W. Springfield Ave., 217-352-9992
SAVOY
Industrial Donut, 501 Commerce Dr., Savoy
“If your child is in need of breakfast, during this time, their donut is on us! Just let us know at checkout that your child has a free school donut, and we will take care of the rest. Please come between 7am and 11am.
There’s no community like the #chambanavoy community!”
Send them some love on Facebook!
RANTOUL
TK’s CheeseSteaks and Butcher Boy Burger, Rantoul
“If you feel like you and your school-aged children will have a hard time making ends meet through the next two weeks, come up to TK’s CheeseSteaks or Butcher Boy Burger and let your kids eat a meal on the house to help get you all through it. We have all fallen on hard times–what is most important is the children! No questions asked, no judgment! Just stop by with your children and we will get you what you need to make it through!”
Send them some love on Facebook!
TK’s CheeseSteaks, 112 E Congress Ave, Rantoul
Butcher Boy Burger, 422 S. Garrar St., Rantoul
FISHER
Ingold’s Meat & Deli, 101 S. 3rd St., Fisher
“FREE SACK LUNCH for anyone school age or younger 11am-1pm Monday-Friday until school is back in session. Sponsored by the Fisher Area Churches. Free lunch includes: A ham & cheese or turkey & cheese sandwich, fruit or vegetable side, and a bottle of water.”
Send them some love on Facebook!
TUSCOLA
Cast Iron Pub, 125 Sale St., Tuscola
“From now until at least the end of March, Monday-Friday, whenever we are cooking, we will provide a free meal to kids under the age of 14. It will consist of a 3″ slider cheeseburger, applesauce, chips, and a drink.”
Send them some love on Facebook!
Flesor’s Candy Kitchen, 101 W. Sale, Tuscola
Starting now through March 31, 2020 Flesor’s Candy Kitchen will supply free breakfast (one pancake, two strips of bacon, and a small glass of orange juice or milk) to school-aged children accompanied by an adult. Breakfast hours are 6am to 10am daily!
Send them some love on Facebook!
Mi Veracruz, 208 North Parke St., Tuscola
“At this moment we want to come together as a community we are following others restaurants example. We would like to help out. Monday Through Friday 11am-4pm children will receive free kids taco meal with drink. If you are concerned about ensuring your children have a good healthy lunch stop by Mi Veracruz.”
Send them some love on Facebook!
Sol del Mar, 105 W. Southline St., Tuscola:
Monday through Thursday each child will receive two soft shell beef tacos with lettuce and cheese with a side of rice and beans and a refreshing glass of water for free. If you are concerned about ensuring your children have a good hearty lunch stop by Sol Del Mar from 11am to 10pm.
Send them some love on Facebook!
The Pantry, 1199 Tuscola Blvd, Tuscola
“We are offering free kids meals with every adult meal purchase through the end of March!”
Send them some love on Facebook!
GIBSON CITY
Los Caminos, 1120 S Sangamon, Gibson City
“In these hard times we would like to reach out to our community and offer free kids meals for children 13 and under until school is back in session. Just mention to your waitress/waiter that you’re a Gibson City Melvin Sibley student.”
Send them some love on Facebook!