For many struggling families, summertime poses a critical health issue for their children. During the school year, children from low-income families receive free breakfast and lunch while at school. But during the summer, many of those children face the risk of going hungry each day.

In Arizona, only 11 percent of school children who rely on free or reduced-price school lunches during the school year currently participate in summer meal programs. These free programs are available to kids and teens age 18 and under at dozens of summer meals sites across the Valley. Sites are registered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and are held at safe local places such as schools, churches and community centers.

Several North Central schools, as well as some nonprofit organizations, are offering free meals for kids during the summertime. For more details, see the information below.

SCHOOLS:
AmeriSchools Academy, 1333 W. Camelback Road, Monday-Friday, June 6 through July 3. Lunch only, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Franklin Phonetic Primary School, 9317 N. 2nd St., Tuesday-Saturday, through Aug. 5. Lunch is served 12-1 p.m.

The Glendale Union High School District offers free breakfasts and lunches for any child age 18 and younger this summer at Washington High School, 2217 W. Glendale Ave. The program is available Monday-Thursday, through June 28. Breakfast will be served from 7 to 8 a.m. Lunch will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Visit www.guhsdaz.org for more details.

Loma Linda Elementary School, 2002 E. Clarendon Ave., offers free breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday, through July 27. Breakfast is served 7:30-8:45 a.m., and lunch from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Adult meals available for purchase for $1.

Madison Elementary School District offers its Summer Lunch Buddies meal program at two locations. Park Middle School, 1431 E. Campbell Ave., Monday through Friday from June 4-July 27 (closed July 4). Breakfast will be served 7:35-8:40 a.m., and lunch takes place 11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Camelview Elementary School, 2002 E. Campbell Ave., offers Summer Lunch Buddies Monday through Thursday from June 11 to June 28. Breakfast is 7:30-8 a.m. and lunch from 12-12:45 p.m. There are no income requirements, and meals are free for any youth ages 18 and younger.

The Phoenix Union High School District, along with other agencies, will provide breakfast and lunch for needy children 18 years of age and younger at nine high schools, Monday through Thursday, through June 28. Participating schools include: Phoenix Coding Academy, 4445 N. Central Ave.; Metro Tech, 1900 W. Thomas Road; and Camelback, 4312 N. 28th St. Food will be prepared, as it is during the regular school year, at each location in the school cafeteria or delivered to the sponsor site. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 9 a.m., with lunch being served from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Adults are welcome to accompany children and can purchase breakfast for $2 and lunch for $3.

Solano Elementary, part of the Osborn Elementary School District, will offer meals for children ages 18 and younger without charge during the week, from June 4-29. The school is located at 1526 W. Missouri Ave. Breakfast will be served in the cafeteria from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., and lunch will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. You do not need to be enrolled in the school district to participate in the program. Adult meals are available for $2 for breakfast, and $3.50 for lunch.

The Torah Day School of Phoenix, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., offers breakfast from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and lunch from 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 1-12, June 19-29, and July 1-26. The free meals for youth age 18 and younger will be served in the back building; enter under the sign that says Torah Day School of Phoenix. Open to the public. All meals are strictly kosher and follow USDA guidelines.

The Washington Elementary School District also provides a summer meal program for children ages 1 to 18 at all of its campuses, dates and times vary. In the North Central community, those campuses, dates and times include:
• Mountain View School, 801 W. Peoria Ave., Monday-Thursday through June 21. Breakfast is served 7-7:30 a.m., and lunch is available 10:30-11 a.m.
• Orangewood School, 7337 N. 19th Ave., Monday-Friday, through July 27 (closed July 4). Breakfast is served 7:45-8:45 a.m., and lunch is available 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
• R.E. Miller School, 2021 W. Alice Ave., Monday-Thursday through June 21. Breakfast is served 7:45-8:15 a.m., and lunch is available 11:15-11:45 a.m.
• Royal Palm Middle School, 8520 N. 19th Ave., Monday-Thursday through June 21. Breakfast is served 7:45-8:15 a.m., and lunch is available 11:15-11:45 a.m.
• Sunnyslope Elementary, 245 E. Mountain View Road, Monday-Thursday through June 21. Breakfast is served 7-7:30 a.m., and lunch is available 10:30-11 a.m.
• Washington Elementary, 8033 N. 27th Ave., Monday-Thursday through June 21. Breakfast is served 7-7:30 a.m., and lunch is available 10:30-11 a.m.

Washington High School, 2217 W. Glendale Ave., part of the Glendale Union High School District, will offer free meals Monday through Thursday, through June 28. Breakfast will be served 7-8 a.m. and lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

LIBRARIES:
• Acacia Library, 750 E. Townley Ave., Tuesday-Saturday through Aug. 5. Lunch is served 12-1 p.m.
• Century Library, 1750 E. Highland Ave., Tuesdays-Saturdays, through Aug. 4. Lunch is served 12:15-1:15 p.m.
• Yucca Library, 5648 N. 15th Ave., Tuesday-Saturday, through July 31. Dinner only, from 4-5 p.m.

OTHER:
Native Health Phoenix offers free breakfast, lunch or dinner for those ages 18 and younger, at its various locations in Phoenix, including:
• 4041 N. Central Ave., Bldg. C, breakfast, lunch and dinner, Monday-Friday.
• NHW Community Health Center, 2423 W. Dunlap Ave., Suite 140, breakfast and lunch only, Monday through Friday.
• Native Health WIC, 4212 N. 16th St., breakfast and lunch only, Monday through Friday.
• Native Health Information and Referral Center, inside Metrocenter Mall, lunch and dinner only, Monday through Sunday.
Serving times vary. Call 602-279-5262, ext. 3111 or e-mail slevy@nachci.com for more information.

Sunnyslope WIC, 8828 N. Central Ave., #100, June 4-July 31. Breakfast is served Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., and lunch Monday through Thursday, 12-4 p.m. Kids do not have to be on WIC or have an appointment to enjoy the free meals.

Christown YMCA, 5517 N. 17th Ave., Monday-Friday through July 31. Breakfast is served 8-8:30 a.m., and lunch 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Washington Activity Center, 2240 W. Citrus Way, Monday through Friday, June 4-July 27. Lunch is available 11-11:30 a.m., and afternoon snack is served 3:30-4 p.m.
Many locations also offer food for parents at a reduced cost.

No registration or proof of income required. Find additional locations near you at www.maricopa.gov/SummerFood or Text FOOD to 877877.

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