Allows students (who are identified by school staff) to receive meals when they may otherwise not have access to food. Packed meals are provided on weekends throughout the school year and three times per week during the summer.

2025 Summer Food Bags provided Tue, Jun 3-Thu, Aug 7, at the following locations and times:

- Robinson: Robinson City Park and Harmony Park; Tue-Thu 10:30 am-11:30 am

- Flat Rock: Flat Rock Community Center; Tue-Thu 10:30 am-11:30 am

- Oblong: Mini Park/Bandstand; Tue-Thu 10:30 am-11:30 am

- Palestine: Palestine Red Pavilion; Tue-Thu 10:30 am-11:30 am

Provides free healthy and nutritious meals during summer break for children.

Provides a free grab and go meal at various sites and libraries throughout Lee County for the youth in the summer while school is out of session. Meals include peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, crackers, granola bars, and fruit. All library sites will have meals available during library hours.

Offers a summer food program for individuals ages 18 and under. Dates of operation are through June 9, 2025 to August 8, 2025. All sites are closed June 19, 2025 and July 4, 2025.

Lunch Cafeteria Locations:

-Irving Elementary, 602 West Jackson Street, Bloomington, IL: Mon-Fri 8:30 am-9 am (breakfast), and 11:30 am-12:30 pm (lunch)

-Sheridan Elementary, 1403 West Walnut Street, Bloomington, IL: Jun 4-Jul 30 Mon-Fri 8:45 am-9:30 am (breakfast), Jun 4-Aug 8 Mon-Fri 11:30 am-12:30 pm

-Stevenson Elementary, 2106 Arrowhead Drive, Bloomington, IL: Jun 9-Jul 3 Mon-Fri 8:30 am-9 am (breakfast), 11:30 am-12:30 pm (lunch)

-Bloomington Public, 205 East Olive Street, Bloomington, IL: Mon-Fri 11:30 am-12:30 pm

-Boys and Girls Club, 1615 West Illinois Street, Bloomington, IL: Jun 2-Aug 1 Mon-Fri 8:30 am-9 pm (breakfast), Mon-Fri 11:30 am-12:30 pm (lunch)

Open ONLY during summer school:

-Bloomington High, 1202 East Locust Street, Bloomington, IL: Jun 9-Jul 3 Mon-Fri 8:30 am-9 pm (breakfast), Mon-Fri 11:30 am-12:30 pm (lunch)

Mobile Lunch Stops:

-Friendship Park, Allin Street and Jefferson Street, Bloomington, IL: Mon-Fri 11 am-11:15 am

-City of Refuge Ministries, 404 Brock Drive, Bloomington, IL: Jun 9-Jul 11 Mon-Fri 11:25 am-11:50 am

-Holton Homes, 1400 West Market, parking lot of Market and Hinshaw, Bloomington, IL: Jul 14-Aug 8 Mon-Fri 11:25 am-11:50 am

-Miller Park, 1020 South Morris Avenue, Bloomington, IL, between splash pad and old concession stand: Mon-Fri 12 pm-12:25 pm

-Wood Hill Family, East Wood Street and East MacArthur Avenue, Blooming, IL: Mon-Fri 12:35 pm-1 pm

Summer sack lunches are available in a "grab and go" style.

Provides weekly backpacks of non-perishable food items to students during the school year, delivered directly to their homes. During the summer, students are provided monthly boxes of fresh produce and food for meals. Also, provides Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.

Program registration ends Nov. 10 and food distribution starts Nov. 14, 2025:

Children may pick up a to-go bag with up to four ready-to-eat lunches at designated locations in Whiteside County during the summer weeks. One to-go bag will be handed out to each child who attends. Meals are intended to replace lunches for kids who rely on school lunch during the school year.

To receive meals, your child must:

. Be registered for this program online AND qualify for free or reduced-price school meals

. How to Register: Visit https://uwwhiteside.org/2025/10/31/lets-feed-our-children-emergency-winter-program/ and fill out the digital form.

Important Information:

. One-Time Registration: Register once and the child will continue to receive meals every Friday

. Discreet Distribution: Meals will be distributed at the child's school in a way that protects privacy

. Food Allergies: Due to the emergency nature of this program, cannot accommodate food allergies at this time

. Program Duration: This program may end abruptly when SNAP benefits return or if United Way funds are exhausted.

Offers educational, social, cultural, and recreational opportunities for families including mentoring, community meal, and summer food program.

Provides after-school meal programs at three locations in Springfield during the school year.

Also offers a summer Food Service Program Providing warm, nutritious meals at the summer feeding sites when the site program is in operation. Children can also receive homework help, computer skills, and nutrition education. Locations and times can be found on the website.

Any child that comes to the Friendship Centre during the summer, when school is not in session, can receive a free lunch.