Harper Highlights Free Summer Meals Program for Local Families

CHICAGO – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is promoting a summer-long, free lunch program available for the families in her district to utilize until the end of August. Local schools in her district will be offering lunches and summer activities for students.

“People are struggling to get by every day during the extreme heat of summer, and they have limited access to healthy meals and activities,” Harper said. “I strongly recommend that families with children under 18 look into this initiative and stop by for some quality food and fun.”

The Summer Food Service Program is an initiative of the United States Department of Agriculture, and administered by the Illinois State Board of Education. The program will benefit people 18 years of age and younger until Friday, August 25. Children and young adults can go to one of the following schools in Harper’s district to obtain free lunches:

• Air Force Academy High School
• Chavez Elementary Multicultural Academy
• Hamline Elementary
• Langford Community Academy
• Morrill Elementary Math & Science School

Families who attend will also have the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities to stay active during the summer months. For those in need of additional information, please call 800-359-2163.

As the former executive director of Grow Greater Englewood, Harper knows how vital it is for all families to have adequate access to nutritious food, as much of her legislative agenda this session has been about providing access to healthy foods through her Urban Agricultural Zones measure.

“For decades, portions of my district have had poor access to healthy food options, and I want to ensure that families can get the access to food they need not just over the summer, but year round,” said Harper. “Legislation I have been working on this year can help make that goal a reality. By first creating Urban Agriculture Zones with House Bill 3418, this would allow for local farmers’ markets and other businesses to consider investing in my communities and allow for families different choices in foods. Secondly, enacting House Bill 3157 would help eliminate food deserts across, not just Chicago, but across the state.”