Summer meals are available for children and and teens this summer at locations throughout the city that have been announced by the Consolidated School District of New Britain.
“In partnership with Whitsons,” says the school district, “we will be providing free meals throughout the summer for those who are 18 and under.”
End Hunger Connecticut! says that, “Summer Meals are free, nutritious, meals and snacks that are provided to kids and teens, 18 years of age and younger, throughout the summer when school is out.”
The meals are provided as part of the federal Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which is the program under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA says that the program, “ensures that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. This summer, USDA plans to serve more than 200 million free meals to children 18 years and under at approved SFSP sites.”
End Hunger Connecticut! says that, “Summer Meals meet federal nutrition guidelines and are comprised of milk, fruits, vegetables, grains, and meat or another protein.”
Information on Summer Meal locations is available by texting “CTMeals” to 877877 or by calling 211. End Hunger Connecticut! also has a “Summer Meals Locator” website, to help families locate, “Summer Meal locations near you.”
The Consolidated School District of New Britain has announced these summer meal sites in the city:
- New Britain High School at 110 Mill Street, serving between June 25th and August 17th, with breakfasts Monday to Friday, 7:45am to 9:30am and lunches Monday to Friday, 11:30am to 1:00pm.
- The Connecticut Children’s Medical Center School at 300-330 John Downey Drive, serving between July 2nd and August 3rd, with breakfasts Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 9:30am and lunches Monday to Friday, 11:00am to 12:45pm.
- Transitional Center at 757 Farmington Avenue, serving between July 9th and August 2nd, with breakfasts Monday to Thursday, 9:30am to 10:00am and lunches Monday to Thursday, 12:00pm to 1:00pm.
- Gaffney Elementary School at 322 Slater Road, serving between July 9th and August 2nd, with breakfasts Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 10:00am and lunches Monday to Friday, 12:00pm to 1:30pm.
- Pulaski Middle School at 757 Farmington Avenue, serving between July 9th and August 2nd, with breakfasts Monday to Thursday, 9:30am to 10:00am and lunches Monday to Thursday, 12:00pm to 1:00pm.
- Diloreto School at 732 Slater Road, serving between July 23rd and August 2nd, with breakfasts Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 10:00am and lunches Monday to Friday, 12:00pm to 1:30pm.
- Lincoln School at 145 Steele Street, serving between July 23rd and August 2nd, with breakfasts Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 10:00am and lunches Monday to Friday, 12:00pm to 1:30pm.
- Pathways Senderos at 43 Viets Street, serving between June 18th and August 17th, with lunches Monday to Friday, 12:00pm to 1:00pm.
- YWCA of New Britain-Berlin at 19 Franklin Square, serving between June 18th and August 17th, with breakfasts Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 9:00am and lunches Monday to Friday, 11:00am to 12:00pm.
- New Britain Boys & Girls Club at 150 Washington Street, serving between June 19th and August 10th, with lunches Monday to Friday, 12:00pm to 1:30pm.
- A.W. Stanley Park at 2159 Stanley Street, serving between June 20th and August 3rd, with breakfasts Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 10:00am and lunches Monday to Friday, 11:30am to 12:30pm.
- Willow Brook Park at 80 Mill Street, serving between June 20th and August 3rd, with breakfasts Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 10:00am and lunches Monday to Friday, 11:00am to 12:00pm.
- Police Athletic League (PAL) at 544 Osgood Avenue, serving between July 2nd and July 27th, with breakfasts Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 9:30am and lunches Monday to Friday, 12:00pm to 12:30pm.
- Mount Pleasant at 16 Armistice Street, serving between July 2nd and August 10th, with breakfasts Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 10:00am and lunches Monday to Friday, 11:30am to 12:30pm.
- OIC of New Britain at St. Ann’s School at 114 North Street, serving between July 9th and August 17th, with breakfasts Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 9:30am and lunches Monday to Friday, 12:00pm to 1:00pm.
All of these sites are closed on July 4th.
The United Way‘s 211 program says that, “There is no charge for any of the meals.” It says that the federally funded program is for children up to and including eighteen years old and children with disabilities, “through age 21.”
The 211 service says that to obtain service from the Summer Meals program, “Go to the site; It is not necessary to pre-register; Also, you can call the program sponsor to verify times, meals served and addresses.” The 211 program also says that, “Most sites are ‘open’ sites, and they do not restrict by address or income. ‘Closed’ sites are limited to the children enrolled in the program and are not open to any other children.”
However, the school district says that, at the sites it has announced, all kids and and teens are welcome, adding, “No registration or ID is required to receive a meal.”
Food at the summer meal sites announced by the school district are provided by Whitsons and New Britain Public Schools.
Editor’s note 6/30/2018: The article was edited reflect an updated list that does not include the Greater Harvest Church.
