Free Summer meals available for kids in South Carolina

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Photo: South Carolina Department of Education

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– Free meals are available for kids this Summer in the Palmetto State, says the Department of Education.

According to the South Carolina Department of Education, there are hundreds of sites around the state with free meal options for children under the age of 18.

There will be more than 1,350 summer meal sites from June to August participating in either the Summer Break Café (SBC) or Seamless Summer Option (SSO) meal programs.

The two Summer Food Service Programs are funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE).

Both programs aim to ensure that no child goes hungry during the summer months, says SCDE.

“Our commitment to the wellbeing of South Carolina’s children does not stop once school is out. We are grateful to all our partners who have stepped up to partner with families to provide access to these nutritious meals for students across the Palmetto State,” State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver expresses.

Any child 18 and under can enjoy free breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks at a variety of locations including schools, parks, community centers, libraries, and churches.

The type of meals and times of operation vary at each site and in some eligible sites located in rural areas, there is the option of grab and go meals.

Last summer, partners served nearly 3.3 million meals to students all over South Carolina through either the Summer Break Café or the Summer Seamless Option, according to SCDE.

For more information on meal site locations and operating times, explore the USDA Summer Meals Map or text ‘FOOD’ to 304-304.