The state of Iowa has released resources for finding locations serving free meals to children this summer.
Across Iowa, nearly 500 locations will serve free food to students who rely on free or reduced-price meals during the school year to make sure they don’t go hungry without those school meals.
To find those locations, text “food” or “comida” to 304-304.
Call 211, 1-866-348-6479 for English resources or 1-877-842-6273 for Spanish.
Or people can visit the US Department of Agriculture’s Meals for Kids website and search for their location to find nearby food sites.
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There are 24 sites in the Des Moines/West Des Moines area, 26 in the Sioux City area, 12 around Iowa City, and 29 in and around Cedar Rapids. There are also locations in small towns in all areas of the state.
The locations are at schools, churches, parks, libraries and housing complexes and camps. Some sites have different requirements depending on whether they’re open sites, closed enrolled sites—meaning they serve children enrolled in programs like day camps—or camp sites. More information on that can be found here.
The Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option are funded by the USDA and administered by the Iowa Department of Education. Operations are handled by school districts and local organizations. More information about the program can be found here.
Meals are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Nikoel Hytrek
6/6/23
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