Summer should be a time for children to play, grow, and explore—not worry about where their next meal will come from. But for 1 in 6 children in Utah, summer break means losing access to school meals and facing increased food insecurity. Without the support of school breakfast and lunch programs, many families are left stretching already tight budgets, and some parents may even skip meals so their children can eat.
To help fill this gap, Utah Food Bank is proud to once again offer the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This program expands Utah Food Bank’s Kids Cafe initiative by providing free meals to all children ages 18 and under throughout the summer.
The program runs June 2 —August 8 and includes both Open Sites (any child can receive a meal) and Closed Enrolled Sites (serves children enrolled in specific activities). Each site will offer either individual daily meals or a weekly box containing seven breakfasts + seven lunches. Meal types and schedules vary by location, but all sites will be closed June 16, July 4 and July 24.
To find a meal site near you, visit www.UtahFoodBank.org/SummerMeals, text “SUMMER” to 914-342-7744, or call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY. More than 300 sites are available statewide, with Utah Food Bank operating 60 of them. Children must be present to receive a meal.
In total, about 215,000 meals will be served across 60 Utah Food Bank sites, helping to ensure that children across the state stay nourished and healthy throughout the summer. Participating counties include Davis, Garfield, Grand, Iron, Piute, Salt Lake, San Juan, Utah, Washington, and Weber.
“Summer can be especially tough for families,” says Ginette Bott, President & CEO of Utah Food Bank. “When schools close, many children lose access to the free or reduced-price meals they count on during the year. This puts added strain on families already working hard to make ends meet. And unfortunately, summer is also when donations drop, making it one of the most difficult times for us to meet the need.”
How You Can Help
As food insecurity rises in the summer, so does the need for community support. Utah Food Bank’s Summer Business Food & Fund Drive runs through the end of August. Businesses and organizations of all sizes are encouraged to host food or fund drives—or both.
Utah Food Bank offers everything needed to make your drive a success, including marketing materials and collection bins. You can even create an online fundraising page with a custom URL to track your impact in real time. Learn more and get involved at www.UtahFoodBank.org/summer.