Free Meal Programs
Program Coordinator - Ruby White
1111 E. Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43205
(614) 645-3642
foodoffice@columbus.gov
Summer Food Meals
Families in need, can text "Food" to 877-877, and receive a text back with the address of summer feeding sites closest to them, or information about how to find their closest feeding site. Spanish Si! Text "Comida" to 877-877 to receive information about summer meals sites in Espanol.
USDA National Summer Meal Site Finder (Map)
Our Summer Food Program, Go, Lunch!, offers free, nutritionally balanced meals during the Summer months at our community centers along with other various locations. (Dates and times can vary.) Last Summer, more than 472,000 meals were served at over 230 locations in the Columbus area. These meals are served to anyone between the ages of 1-18. Meals are also available for anyone ages 18-21 who have been determined by a state or local public educational agency to be mentally or physically disabled and involved in an independent education program. Our (downloadable) Summer Food information can be found here: English, Spanish & Somali.
Go, Lunch!
2020 Summer Food Service Program Overview (COMING SOON)
2020 Summer Food Income Eligibility Application (COMING SOON)
For information about hosting a Go, Lunch! Summer Food Service site please email foodoffice@columbus.gov.
Summer Food Program Volunteering
The summer Food Service Program (SFSP or the “summer meals
program”) was created to connect children from low-income families to the
crucial nutrition they need during the summer. The program was created
more than 40 years ago to help children from low-income families get the healthy
food they need during the summer months, when school is out. Local
organizations like schools, recreation centers, YMCA, Boys & Girls clubs
& Libraries run summer sites to feed and sometimes even offer enrichment
opportunities for these children in high need areas. With over 240
sites, we are requesting your help to canvas a few of these sites. If interested, please
let Amanda Wampler know you are interesting in canvassing the week of the July 11th
via email at ALWampler@Columbus.gov. Any help is appreciated!
After School Meals
For the current school year, your Recreation and Parks Department is offering an after school food program titled S.E.L.F. (Students, Eating, Learning & having Fun). (Please check with your local community center for participation.) These centers will be providing an evening meal, as well as safe and structured programming for children ages 5 to 18. Participants will need to register at their local community center to partake in this program. Click on the "S.E.L.F. CHA Food Location" link below to check locations and details surrounding this great program.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.