A U.S. Department of Agriculture program is providing thousands of Georgia children with free meals this summer.

Sponsors in the program fund food for various sites such as daycare centers and churches throughout the state, later getting reimbursed with federal funds.

There are roughly 100 organizations sponsoring 2,300 sites in Georgia, providing free food for low-income children that normally rely on free or reduced meals during the school year.

“That’s a blessing to us that we don’t have to worry about the finances,” said Kevin Johnson, the unit director at the Salvation Army Bellwood Boys and Girls Club in Atlanta.

In order to increase awareness of the program, non-profits like No Kid Hungry have pushed campaigns on social media and in the community.

One of their methods is a texting hotline, where parents can text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 877-877 to find summer meal sites near them.

For more information on the Summer Food Service Program go to our subscriber site at myAJC.com.

About the Author

Keep Reading

 Catherine Bernard, an attorney for the Georgia Republican Assembly, speaks to the State Ethics Commission during preliminary hearings on campaign finance charges Thursday.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez