No matter what community you live in and how prosperous it seems to be, there are still children failing to eat three meals a day. This is something that is a real issue during summer when free lunch programs provided by the schools are gone; which, for some children, is the only guaranteed meal for the day.
Last year, 535,000 low-income Michigan children received meals during the school year, but less than 85,000 of those children {17%} ate meals or snacks at approved summer meal sites in their neighborhoods.
What if I told you there is way children — low-income or not — can eat for FREE?
How To Get Free Summer Meals for Michigan Kids
Families anywhere in Michigan can locate the Meet Up and Eat Up™ Summer Food Service Program site nearest them by texting “Food” to 877-877 and receive the most up-to-date site location information.
Local to me, the Salvation Army runs a fantastic program called the Summer Lunch Bunch. This community meals program invites EVERYONE, regardless of income — no questions asked. Kids eat free and adults by donation {$3.50 for sack lunches, $5 for served lunches at select locations}.
If you don’t feel like you “need” the program, no worries! You can make a donation for your meals and still enjoy the various activities, giveaways and prizes.
My family has enjoyed the Summer Lunch Bunch program a few times while out at events, and I was SO thankful for the meal, because let’s be real — kids are ALWAYS hungry, right? One time, I almost cried happy tears when they said it was free because my daughter was having a meltdown and I was out of snacks for her and had zero cash on me. I was thankful for the sack lunch for her, which included a sandwich, fruit, carrots, a cookie and a milk. She ate it all up, too!
This specific program meets all over Livingston County at various locations. Check out the flyer below for details; some locations require pre-registration online, but most you can drop in as needed.
For more information, visit wwww.salvationarmylivingston.org.
In addition to the Summer Lunch Bunch, The Torch is a mobile food truck dedicated to helping serve Livingston County area residents as well.
No child should go hungry EVER. If you are struggling to make ends meet this summer and need help finding a meal program, don’t hesitate to ask and I will help you.
What programs exist near you? Let’s help families find food this summer!
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