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.

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 Unit 4 Facebook page, the following location, dates and times are applicable. All sites are closed June 19 and July 4.

Central High School: June 3-July 26, breakfast 8:30-10:30 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.-1:45 p.m.

Garden Hills Academy: June 3-July 12, breakfast 7:45-8:40 a.m., lunch 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Stratton Elementary: June 11-July 2, breakfast 8-9 a.m., lunch 10:50-11:30 a.m.

Edison Middle School: June 10-July 12, breakfast 8-9 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.-noon

Dr. Howard Elementary: June 10-July 19, breakfast 8-9:30 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

International Prep Academy: June 10-July 11, breakfast 8-9 a.m., lunch noon to 1 p.m.

Champaign Urbana Public Health District: CUPHD is offering meals at the following times at 201 W. Kenyon Road, Champaign: May 31-Aug. 9, 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.

All children meeting the age requirement will be provided with food. They do not have to be enrolled in summer school or attend Urbana Schools. Individuals 18 or older with a state-defined mental or physical disability will also be provided with free meals.

Meals will be available at the following locations at the following times:
No meals Wednesday, June 19 and Thursday, July 4

King Elementary: June 10 – July 3 (Monday-Thursday), breakfast: 8:30-9 a.m., lunch: 12:30-1 p.m.

Urbana Middle School: June 10 – July 3 (Monday-Thursday), breakfast: 8:30-9:30 a.m., lunch: 11-11:30 a.m.

Leal Elementary: June 10 – 27 (Monday-Thursday), breakfast: 8-8:15 a.m., lunch: 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. AND July 8-12 (Monday-Friday), breakfast 9-9:30 a.m., lunch 12:10-1 p.m.

Urbana High School: June 10 – July 18 (Monday-Thursday), breakfast: 7:30-8:30 a.m., lunch: 11-11:30 a.m.

MAHOMET

Candlewood Estates: Open to all children, free lunches in Mahomet will begin June 3, 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.

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