(TheDailyCurrents.com) – Although the kids may be excited about the summer break, you may be thinking about how to keep them fed during this time of year. When children don’t get the nutritious food they usually get through school, they have an increased chance of experiencing long-term health consequences and childhood obesity from consuming empty but filling calories. Not to mention that food insecurity can cause a decline in academic performance and social skills, even when only experienced for two or three months.

There are programs that the USDA and the Feeding America Network offer to families in communities that need the meals that the schools are no longer providing. Once you learn what programs are available and how to access them, you can keep kids fed when schools close for the summer.

USDA Summer Food Service Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers a Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) that reimburses organizations that provide healthy meals and snacks to children and teens in low-income communities. Examples of agencies or organizations in your community that may be serving summer meals to children include:

• Schools
• Local government agencies
• Camps
• Faith-based organizations
• Nonprofit organizations

Yes, some schools sign up for the Summer Meals Program and still distribute nutritious meals during the summer. In addition, local government agencies, such as the Parks and Recreation Department or libraries, may also participate in the Summer Meals Program.

Your local food bank may also may a summer food program available. They may provide designated sites for your children to access healthy meals during the summer. You’ll only have to call or text a number to a food bank to find the nearest site.

Of course, you can access groceries at the nearest food bank pantry to make healthy meals at home. However, if none are nearby, food banks may provide drive-up food distribution locations or mobile food pantries.

The Feeding America Network

This organization is a nonprofit entity that dedicates itself to making sure no one in America is hungry. They are partnered with food banks and pantries and provide meal programs to feed hungry children when school is out. In addition, the Feeding America organization hosts School Food Pantry Programs and BackPack Programs across the United States during summer breaks.

School Food Pantry Program

The Feeding America Network operates nearly 4,000 school pantries in the United States. Students and their families needing extra help purchasing groceries can access these programs even if they don’t attend that school. Hours and days of operation may vary, but some school pantries operate during the summer when school is out. Call the food banks or school district to find out the location of a school food pantry near you.

BackPack Program

Over 10,000 BackPack Programs throughout the United States provide healthy meals to kids on the weekends and during school breaks. Backpacks are filled with free, healthy, easy-to-prepare, and kid-friendly food and distributed to children. You might find this program at your local food bank, Boys and Girls Clubs, or community center. But, again, ask your school district or food bank where a program might be.

Contact the USDA National Hunger Hotline

Feeding kids during the summer can be a challenge for many families. But by knowing the available resources and how to access them, children can count on consuming the same healthy calories as during the school year.

Call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE for Spanish speakers to consult a representative who will help you find food resources, such as summer meal programs near you. Also, visit the USDA Summer Meal Site Finder Tool when it goes live sometime in May before the kids leave school. You can use this tool to find directions to the nearest summer meal provider, their hours of operation, and contact information.

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