The Hawai‘i State Department of Education is offering meals to all children 18 and younger at select schools throughout summer months.
HIDOE announced that 63 public schools will serve meals through its summer food service program, Seamless Summer Option (SSO).
“Economically disadvantaged students often come to school hungry and rely on programs like the Department’s Free and Reduced Price Lunch, which is why we continue to offer support during the summer months that would otherwise be a gap period,” said DOE Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. “In addition to serving their own students, these schools are also offering meals to other children in the community and we thank them for their support as well as the USDA whose funding is so critical for this program.”
Beginning today, the SSO program will be available at public schools around the state free of charge to all children 18 years and under.
Meals will be served at select locations Monday through Friday, except June 12 and July 4.
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Most schools will serve breakfast and lunch (see list below).
Parents are advised to call their child’s school directly if the start and end dates for the program aren’t listed, and to find out the specific times for meal service.
List of Big Island Schools
Hawai‘i Island Hilo High
Honoka‘a High & Intermediate
Ka‘ū High & Pahala Elementary
Ke Kula o Nawahi PCS
Kea‘au Elementary
Kea‘au High
Kea‘au Middle
Kealakehe High
Keaukaha Elementary
Kohala Elementary
Kohala High
Kohala Middle
Mountain View Elementary
Na‘alehu Elementary
Waiakea High
Waiakea Intermediate
Waimea Elementary
SSO is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was established to ensure that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals during the summer. An eligible school must have 50 percent or more of its regular enrolled students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunches and some type of summer program on campus. However, meal recipients do not have to be enrolled in those classes to be served.
The Seamless Summer Option is an equal opportunity provider. For more information, visit www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
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Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027) found online and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.
Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
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