No meal site in Charlestown, but four close by
The RI Department of Education announced that the Summer Food Service Program is underway at more than 200 program sites across Rhode Island communities, where free meals will be served to students this summer.
“It’s our responsibility as a
state to ensure that no child goes hungry,” said Governor Dan McKee. “The
Summer Food Service Program is an important part of our plan to keep our kids
happy and healthy throughout the summer. These meal pickup points will not only
help us fight child hunger, but they will be places for our communities to
gather, engage, and thrive post-pandemic.”
Communities must have 50 percent of students eligible for free and reduced price lunch in order to be eligible to participate in the program.
Meals provided through the summer program,
however, are available at no cost to all children ages 18 and under, with no
eligibility criteria, no forms for families to fill out, and no proof of
residency or address required. Families can find summer meals site by
visiting the RIDE website or calling 2-1-1.
Scroll to the bottom of this article for the four meal sites closest to Charlestown.
“Caring and supporting our students is a 365-day-a-year commitment, and that includes making sure they have access to nutritious food so they can keep learning and growing,” said Commissioner Infante-Green.
“Through the Summer Food Service Program, students
can continue to get the meals they receive at school throughout the break and
return ready to succeed. We are deeply thankful for the many community partners
contributing their time and effort to make this possible.”
During the school year,
approximately 72,000 Rhode Island students are eligible to receive meals daily
through the National School Lunch program, and the Summer Food Service Program
allows them to stay well-fed throughout the summer. The program saw increased
participation in 2020 in the midst of the pandemic and served more than 1.9
million meals statewide from June to August.
In addition to the Summer Food
Service Program, many Rhode Island families are also eligible to receive
additional pandemic EBT benefits. Students who received free or reduced priced
meals at their schools through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) during
the 2020-2021 school year and children under the age of six who also receive
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits qualify for two payments
this summer of $187.50.
Students and families who receive
these benefits already do not need to complete any additional applications and
will be issued summer P-EBT benefits automatically. Students that are not
currently receiving meals through the NSLP but will be eligible are encouraged
to complete a Meal Benefit application by August 27, 2021
in order to be eligible to receive Summer P-EBT.
There are NO meal sites in Charlestown (of course) as well as Richmond and Hopkinton, but there are four local sites in Westerly and South Kingstown.
Westerly Public Library, Westerly High School, Westerly Middle School
All open M-F, until Aug. 27. 11 AM-12 PM for breakfast and/or lunch
South Kingstown
Curtis Corner Middle School, M-F until Aug. 31, 9 - 11 AM for breakfast and/or lunch