LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – This summer, families will have the chance to access free meals for every child under 18 in their household.
Students in Michigan received free lunch and breakfast while at school this year, a program the state says is saving families families $850 annually. To bridge the gap over break, there are three summer meal programs that families can take advantage of.
The first is the Meet-up and Eat-up program, with over 1,700 different sites where any child age 18 and under can go and get a free meal.
Through the Rural Non-Congrgate program, over 100 locations will be open for families to go to once a week to pick up seven days worth of meals for each child.
Both programs are completely free and open to any child under 18, without having to apply or meet any qualifications.
The meals are also available while traveling in the state, Michigan’s Deputy Superintendant of Business, Health, and Library services with the Department of Education, Diane Golzynski said families can stop at a site wherever they’re traveling around Michigan to pick up a meal.
“We want to make sure that there isn’t a gap when summer happens when school is out,” Golzynski said. “We want kids to know that they have access to meals throughout the entirety of the year because that type of security allows them to be the last, best learner possible.”
The summer EBT program was also expanded this year with funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Now, families that qualify for the summer EBT program will receive $40 a month per child on a snap EBT, or Bridge card to be able to go to the local grocery store and pick up healthy meals for their children for the summer months.
Families with income-based needs can apply for the benefits through their school district, and if you already receive SNAP benefits from the state, the supplemental funds can still be applied for.
The full list of locations for the Meet-up and Eat-up and the Rural Non-Congregate program will be rolled out on June 15th at WWW. Michigan.gov/MeetupEatup
