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Summer program in Lee and Charlotte counties to offer free breakfast, lunch to children

For nearly two months this summer children in Lee and Charlotte counties will be provided free meals at more than 100 school-based and community sites.

The meals are being provided by the School District of Lee County, the School District of Charlotte County and Florida’s Summer BreakSpot program.

Lee County

For Lee County students from June 5 to July 31, breakfast and lunch will be served to those 18 and younger. Though there are no income requirements or registration processes, meals must be consumed on-site.

This excludes the eight new grab-and-go meals sites. At these locations, the child does not have to be in attendance and the meal does not have to be eaten on-site.

Monday through Thursday, both breakfast and lunch will be supplied. On Fridays, children in Lee County will be provided with a three-day meal kit so they can also have breakfast and lunch over the weekend.

The program is adding new grab-and-go meal locations in Lee County as well. The eight grab-and-go sites are:

  • Buckingham Community Park – Fort Myers
  • Harns Marsh Middle School – Lehigh Acres
  • Palms at Pine Island – Pine Island
  • Phillips Park – Pine Island
  • All Saints Byzantine Catholic Church – North Fort Myers
  • Alva Community Park – Alva
  • Olga Baptist Church – Alva
  • Summit Church – Gateway (starts June 17)

The Summer BreakSpot Program allows the District’s Food and Nutrition Services Department to provide free meals to children at no cost to them throughout the summer months. Last year, the Lee County School District served more than 212,000 breakfast, lunch and snack meals through this initiative.

Charlotte County

In Charlotte County, the annual Summer Feeding Program runs June 3 through July 31 with closures on July 4 and 5 and eligible to those 18 and younger..

Walk-ins are welcomed at the following locations:

Champ’s On Wheels: Mobile Feeding Bus Stops

  • Port Charlotte Library: 11 b– 11:30 a.m.
  • Hampton Point Apartments: Noon – 12:30 p.m.

School Locations

  • Neil Armstrong Elementary: 10:45 a.m. – 12:30 PM
  • Charlotte High: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Lemon Bay High: 11 a.m. – noon
  • Port Charlotte High: 11 a.m. – noon
  • Meadow Park: 11 a.m. – noon
  • Baker Center: 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Breakfast will also be available at the above listed schools.

For more information on Charlotte's program, including menus, visit the Food Service website here.

To find the Summer BreakSpot sites and serving times in your area: Dial 2-1-1, Text “Food” to 304-304 or visit www.SummerBreakSpot.org.

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