Summer Lunch Programs and SUN Bucks: Nutritional Support for Champaign County’s Youth
As summer approaches, ensuring that children continue to receive nutritious meals is a paramount concern for many families, particularly when school is out. Recognizing this need, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is once again hosting the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), an initiative sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education. This essential program, which runs from May 31 through August 9, aims to provide free breakfast and lunch to children across Champaign County.
Key Details of the SFSP
The SFSP is set to operate at the CUPHD lobby located at 201 West Kenyon Road, Champaign. Meals will be available Monday through Friday with breakfast served from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM and lunch from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. All children aged one to 18 are eligible to participate on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s important to note that the service will be closed on June 19 and July 4.
This program ensures that all meals are provided without charge and are the same for every child, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. In line with federal regulations, there will be no discrimination during meal service, and any grievances can be addressed through the USDA’s discrimination complaint process.
Additional Locations and Benefits
In addition to the main site, children and teenagers aged 5-18 who qualify for free or reduced lunch during the school year can access meals at several other locations throughout Champaign-Urbana, including Urbana Middle School, Central High School, Urbana High School, Dr. Howard School, International Prep Academy, Stratton Elementary, Leal Elementary School, and Martin Luther King Elementary School. These sites are integral in ensuring that the program reaches as many children as possible.
Introducing SUN Bucks
A notable addition this year is the introduction of the SUN Bucks program. This initiative offers an extra layer of support by providing $120 per child to buy groceries over the summer. The SUN Bucks are available to families with school-aged children who are already enrolled in programs like SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR, or those whose income meets the criteria for free or reduced-price school meals.
Eligible families will find that the SUN Bucks may be added directly to their SNAP accounts, issued as a separate EBT card, or sent via other means depending on their location. For families not automatically enrolled, applications are necessary to access this benefit.
