Free Meals: Summer Food Service Program Sites throughout the Southern Tier

During the school year, many children receive free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch through the School Breakfast and National School Lunch Programs. What happens when school lets out? Hunger is one of the most severe roadblocks to the learning process. Lack of nutrition during the summer months may set up a cycle for poor performance once school begins again. Hunger also may make children more prone to illness and other health issues.

The Summer Food Service Program is designed to help families fill this nutrition gap for their children. The program provides healthy meals to any child age 18 or younger in community facilities including schools, parks, and churches. Beginning July 9th, Pro Action will open several sites in Steuben and Yates Counties, with locations in Hornell, Canisteo, Woodhull, Bath, Dundee, and Penn Yan. There is no proof of income or registration of any kind required for a child to have a free meal at an open community site.

The Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) at Catholic Charities of Steuben County can provide a complete list of all Steuben County Summer Food Program open sites, including those sponsored by Pro Action, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, and the Corning-Painted Post School District. You may reach NOEP by dialing 1-800-724-2841.

2-1-1 HELPLINE can provide information about Summer Food sites in Steuben and Yates Counties--to view the locations of these sites, as well as their hours of operation and program eligibility, click here.

For information about Summer Food Service Programs, nutrition education, health insurance or health care, food pantries and food donation needs in our region, call 2-1-1 HELPLINE. Help starts with 2-1-1.