CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Greater Chicago Food Depository and other organizations are kicking off a summer meal program in an effort to keep children who rely on meals they receive at school from going hungry during summer break.
During the school year, more than 200,000 students receive meals from breakfast and lunch programs, but during the summer, many families in need don't know where to turn.
The free summer meals program which started on Monday is designed to fill that gap.
The fun has begun now that the school year is over, but summer break is a difficult time of year for many families who struggle to put food on the table.
"If you are a family whose children get a meal during the school year, either breakfast or lunch, when summer arrives, it brings a whole set of challenges," said Kate Maehr, Greater Chicago Food Depository.
The Greater Chicago Food Depository is one of several organizations getting the word out that there are resources for families in need.
They came together Monday for the kickoff of the free summer meals program in Armour Square Park and families learned where they can get free meals in their communities.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture funds the program, which seeks to give kids good nutrition year round.
"Kids who are hungry, kids who don't have access to healthy meals, are more at risk to health issues behavioral issues, developmental issues," said USDA's Tim English.
The free summer meals program also has community outreach where volunteers go door to door in underserved neighborhoods informing families about the nearest summer meal site.
Charlene Campbell is one such volunteer. As a mother of seven, she says she once relied on the program to feed her family, and she wants other families to know what resources are out there.
"Having been in that situation, I just sound out to everybody that it's important to know where to go now that there is availability for parents in the neighborhood," Campbell said.
For more information on free summer meals: