AKRON, Ohio — The City of Akron has announced that they will provide free meals to eligible kids this summer.
Akron's Summer Food Service Program will serve breakfast and lunch at various sites starting Monday, June 10. The program will run Monday through Friday until Aug. 2, except June 19 and July 4, due to the holidays.
Akron Public Schools will prepare all of the meals, which will be distributed at community centers and other locations throughout the city.
“Akron is proud to once again offer the summer food service program for our youth,” said Akron Mayor Shammas Malik. “Kids deserve to just be kids and not have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. The summer food service program allows them to do that. I'm grateful to Akron Public Schools and to all of our community center staff for making this program possible.”
Akron summer meal program locations
- Cascade Village | 285 N. Howard St.
- Breakfast: 9 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m.
- Dreams Academy (June 17-Julu 25) | 2199 Fifth Street SW
- Breakfast: 8:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 12 p.m.
- Ellet Community Center | 2449 Wedgewood Drive
- Breakfast: 9 a.m.
- Lunch: 11 a.m.
- Firestone Park Community Center | 1480 Girard Street
- Breakfast: 9 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m.
- Joy Park Community Center | 825 Fuller Street
- Breakfast: 9 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m.
- Kenmore Community Center | 880 Kenmore Boulevard
- Breakfast: 10 a.m.
- Lunch: 12 p.m.
- Lane Field (Outside) | 630 Vernon Odom Blvd.
- Lunch: 11:30am
- Lawton Street Community Center | 1225 Lawton Street
- Breakfast: 9 a.m.
- Lunch: 12 p.m.
- Mason Park Community Center | 700 E. Exchange Street
- Breakfast 9 a.m.
- Lunch: 12 p.m.
- Northwest Community Center| 1730 Shatto Avenue
- 9:30 a.m.
- 11:30 a.m.
- Summit Lake Community Center | 380 W. Crosier Street
- Breakfast: 9 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m.
- Vincent House | 838 E. Exchange Street
- Breakfast: 9 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m.
- Wilbeth Homes | 888 Eller Ave.
- Breakfast: 9 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m.
Who is eligible for the program?
Children (18 and under) who are part of households that receive food stamps or benefits under the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are eligible to receive free meals.
In addition, summer day camp program participants who meet the income guidelines for reduced-price meals in the National School Lunch Program will also be eligible.
Akron officials noted that "acceptance and participation requirements for the program and all activities are the same for all residents regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service."