GEORGIA, USA — A lot of kids in school rely on the cafeteria's meals daily, but with school out for the summer it can be tougher to find places providing food.
That's why some Central Georgia school districts are feeding free meals to students ages 18 and under. However, some viewers want to know if summer feeding programs are just for those enrolled at a particular school or can any student benefit from the program.
We VERIFY.
Question:
Are summer meals available to all students, or just those who live and are enrolled in the school districts offering food?
Answer:
No, students do not have to be enrolled in a school district providing free summer meals. However, options and availability for each district vary.
Our Sources:
- The United States Department of Agriculture
- School districts of Baldwin, Bibb, Crawford, Dodge, Laurens, Houston, Peach, Treutlen, Twiggs, Washington, Wilcox, and Wheeler counties and Dublin City Schools.
In Baldwin, Bibb, Laurens, Houston, Hancock, Peach, Treutlen, Dodge, Pulaski, Twiggs, Wilcox County School Districts, and Dublin City Schools, anyone under 18 can get a meal provided by the school district for free. This applies whether they live in the district or not, according to each school district's nutrition department.
Parents can pick up food from Pulaski, Washington, Treutlen and Houston County. The school districts ask you to sign up in advance.
A traveling summer meals program is happening in Houston and Montgomery County. Vans will stop in those neighborhoods during scheduled times so children can have a meal.
In Dodge and Twiggs counties, summer meals are provided at each school holding summer classes. The free meals are intended for students attending summer school, but anyone under 18 won't be turned away, the school districts said.
However, in Crawford and Wheeler County, there are no summer meals available for people ages 18 and under due to low demand and kitchen issues.
"SUN Meals" is the name for the USDA's summer food service program.
You can find locations providing SUN Meals in your community here.