Welcome to our Summer Resource Hub. Did you know that your kids may be eligible for BOTH free meals and Summer EBT programs in the summer?
Both programs provide food to kids and teens 18 and under.
In rural communities, flexible, free meals like grab-and- go, home delivery and parent pick-up can reach even more children during the summer months. Check out the Summer Meal Site Finder Tool below to find a site near you!
The Summer Electronic Benefit Program (Summer EBT, also called SUN Bucks), provides grocery benefits to families of children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.
Together, SUN Meals To-Go, Summer EBT, and traditional summer meals programs have the power to work together to keep kids nourished all summer long.
Summer EBT
Summer EBT (in some places called SUN Bucks) provides an extra $120* per school-aged child for groceries during summer break. Many children receive benefits automatically, but others need to sign up. Learn more below. Benefits are provided on an electronic card that you can use to shop at grocery stores, farmers markets and online. Children and families can participate in both Summer EBT and summer meals, as well as other benefit programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
*Benefit amounts are different in Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, and in programs operated by Tribal Governments.
Is Summer EBT available in my state?
Visit summerebt.org to find out if Summer EBT is available in your state, territory or tribal nation and how to qualify.
Learn more about Summer EBT: Extra grocery money during the summer
SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly grocery benefits on an electronic card to purchase food from places you normally shop — like grocery stores, farmers markets or online.
Learn more about SNAP: Grocery benefits for your family year-round
Find Free Summer Meals Sites Near Me
Enter your address in the map below to find free, healthy meals being served by organizations in your community. This map can help you locate traditional SUN Meals and SUN Meals To-Go sites.
Don't see any free meals in your area? Sites are added as state data becomes available. Check back in May/June for more updates.
Call the national hunger hotline:
📞 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) (for English)
📞 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273) (for Spanish)
💬 Text “food," “summer,” or “meals,” to 914-342-7744
All children 18 and under are eligible to participate in summer meals sites. Some locations, known as congregate sites, provide a meal that must be eaten on the premises. No proof of income or registration is required to participate. Just show up!
Other sites, known as non-congregate sites, may offer meals-to-go where parents and caregivers may take meals home for kids to eat later. These sites sometimes encourage registration to reserve meals in advance. Call ahead to confirm site times, locations, program rules and details.
Summer Meals provides kids with the energy and nutrition they need to grow and thrive. The meals served are well-balanced and follow nutrition guidelines set by the USDA, similar to those they receive during the school year. All breakfasts include milk, fruit or vegetable and grain/bread. All lunches include milk, two fruits and/or vegetables, grain/bread and a meat or protein alternative.
Stopping by a summer meals site with your family not only saves you time and money spent grocery shopping and meal prepping; it also helps support your community.
Additional Food and Family Support Resources
Learn more about additional resources designed to support families year-round:
- FoodFinder: Use FoodFinder’s website or app to find food pantries in your area. Food pantries provide groceries and other resources to families and individuals year-round.
- 211: Call 211 (accessible 24/7) to be connected with local experts in resources available in your area. 211 helps connect individuals with housing, healthcare, food and disaster relief services in your local community. 211 isn’t available nationwide, so check online if they are available in your area for use.
- WIC: USDA's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children: From the moment you find out you're expecting until your child turns 5, WIC provides free healthy foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition education and referrals to other services, to support you and your family.
Summer meals programs could reach up to 31 million kids.
