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Check back in the Summer of 2024 for updates about Summer Meals sites and activities for kids.
FREE Meals for Kids & Teens are Available in Your Neighborhood This Summer!
Free Summer Meals programs are offered at the places where your family lives, learns, and plays—including schools, parks, community centers, and faith-based organizations. Summer Meals are open to all kids ages 18 and younger. Many sites also offer fun activities that help kids stay active and engaged when school is out.
Sites can change during the summer; check availability and full site listing below or
- Visit summermealsny.org,
- Call 2-1-1 or text your ZIP CODE to 898-211
- Text FOOD to 304-304
Find your nearest Free Summer Meals Collaborative site below and learn how to access other food resources in your community this summer.
2023 Albany County Summer Meals Sites & Activities
Summer meals and activities are open to the public unless otherwise specified with enrollment details. For a printable version of the county cards, click here.
Albany High School
700 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12203
For more information, contact The City School District of Albany
7/5 - 8/15
Monday - Thursday
BREAKFAST: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
LUNCH: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Albany International Center
50 North Lark Street, Albany, NY 12210
For more information, contact The City School District of Albany
7/5 - 8/11
Monday - Thursday
BREAKFAST: 8:15 AM -9:15 AM
LUNCH: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Albany School of Humanities
108 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY 12209
For more information, contact The City School District of Albany
7/3 - 8/18
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
LUNCH: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Boys & Girls Club Albany Clubhouse
21 Delaware Ave Albany, NY 12210
Open site for meals. Visit www.bgccapitalarea.org/camp for more information about Summer Camp
7/5 - 8/25
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
LUNCH: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Capital Woods
200 Lark Drive, Albany NY
7/10 - 8/18
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:45 AM - 10:30 AM
LUNCH: 12:00 - 1:15 PM
Creighton Storey Homes
158 Third Avenue, Albany NY
7/10 - 8/18
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:45 AM - 10:30 AM
LUNCH: 12:00 - 1:15 PM
Join Albany Center Gallery Studios for an art project on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM.
Ezra Prentice Homes
625 South Pearl Street, Albany NY
7/10 - 8/18
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:45 AM - 10:30 AM
LUNCH: 12:00 - 1:15 PM
Giffen Memorial Elementary School
274 South Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12202
For more information, contact The City School District of Albany
7/5 - 8/18
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
LUNCH: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Girls Inc, of the Greater Capital Region
80 Central Avenue, Albany NY
7/10 - 8/18
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:30 AM- 9:30 AM
LUNCH: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Girls Inc. (Eureka!)
1400 Washington Avenue, Albany NY
Contact Girls Inc. for more information
7/10 - 8/4
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:45 AM - 9:20 AM
LUNCH: 12:45 PM - 1:30 PM
Green Island UFSD
171 Hudson Avenue, Green Island
For more information and to check out the daily menu, visit www.watervlietcityschools.org/summer-meals-program-for-2023
7/5 - 8/11
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
LUNCH: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Hoffman Park
7 Hoffman Park, Albany NY
7/10 - 8/11
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
LUNCH: 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Liberty Partnership
135 Western Avenue, Albany NY
Full program offered through UAlbany. Contact Program Director Nelia Quezada at 518-442-3854 or nquezada@albany.edu
7/10 - 8/18
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 9:00 AM-9:30 AM
LUNCH: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Metropolitan NTM Baptist Church
105 2nd Street, Albany NY
7/10 - 8/4
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
North Albany Middle School
570 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12204
For more information, contact The City School District of Albany
7/5 - 8/5
Monday - Thursday
BREAKFAST: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
LUNCH: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Paine Street Park
Paine Street, Green Island
For more information and to check out the daily menu visit www.watervlietcityschools.org/summer-meals-program-for-2023
7/5 - 8/18
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
PAL (Police Athletic League)
844 Madison Ave Albany, NY 12208
6/26 - 8/25
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:15 AM - 9:00 AM
LUNCH: 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Pine Hills Elementary School
41 North Allen Street, Albany, NY 12203
For more information, contact The City School District of Albany
7/3 - 8/11
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
LUNCH: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Port Schuyler Gazebo
Corner of 3rd Avenue & 6th Street
7/5 - 8/18
Monday - Friday
LUNCH:11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Sheridan Preparatory Academy
400 Sheridan Avenue, Albany, NY 12206
For more information, contact The City School District of Albany
7/5 - 8/11
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
LUNCH: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Tony Clement Center for Education
395 Elk St. Albany, NY 12206
For more information, contact The City School District of Albany
7/10 - 8/14
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
LUNCH: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Trinity Alliance
15 Trinity Place, Albany NY
7/10 - 8/18
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
LUNCH: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Watervliet Civic Center
14th Street & 1st Avenue, Watervliet
For more information and to check out the daily menu, visit www.watervlietcityschools.org/summer-meals-program-for-2023
6/26 - 8/18
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
LUNCH: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Watervliet Elementary School
2557 Tenth Avenue, Watervliet
For more information and to check out the daily menu, visit www.watervlietcityschools.org/summer-meals-program-for-2023
6/26 - 8/18
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
LUNCH: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Watervliet Housing - Joslin Apartment Building next to the office
2301 Whitehall Street
For more information and to check out the daily menu, visit www.watervlietcityschools.org/summer-meals-program-for-2023
7/5 - 8/18
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Watervliet Jr.-Sr. High School
1245 Hillside Drive, Watervliet
For more information and to check out the daily menu, visit www.watervlietcityschools.org/summer-meals-program-for-2023
7/5 - 8/18
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
LUNCH: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Westland Hills Park
0 Colvin Street, Albany NY
For more information and to check out the daily menu, visit www.watervlietcityschools.org/summer-meals-program-for-2023
7/10 - 8/11
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
LUNCH: 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Learn more about the Rensselaer County Department for Youth Summer Food Program. For a printable version of the Rensselaer County card, click here.
2023 Rensselaer County Summer Meals Sites
Summer Meals and activities are open to the public unless otherwise specified with enrollment details. For a printable version of the county cards, click here.
ARK Inc.
847 River Street Troy, NY 12180
7/10 - 8/18
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
LUNCH: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Berlin Elementary School
53 School Street Berlin, NY 12022
For more information & updates, check www.Rensco.com in the "How do I section"
7/10 - 8/18
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM
LUNCH: 10:45 AM - 11:30 PM
Berlin Middle/High School
17400 NY 22 Cherry Plains, NY 12040
For more information & updates, check www.Rensco.com in the "How do I section"
7/10 - 8/18
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:15 AM - 8:45 AM
LUNCH: 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Boys & Girls Club - Lansingburgh Clubhouse
501 4th Ave Troy, NY 12182
For more information & updates, check www.Rensco.com in the "How do I section"
7/3 - 8/31
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 12:00 PM -12:45 PM
SNACK: 3:00 PM-3:30 PM
Boys & Girls Club - Rensselaer Clubhouse
544 Broadway Rensselaer, NY 12144
Visit https://www.bgccapitalarea.org/camp for more information
7/5 - 8/25
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
LUNCH: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Boys & Girls Club - Troy Clubhouse
1700 7th Ave Troy, NY 12180
Visit www.bgccapitalarea.org/camp for more information about Summer Camp
7/5 - 8/25
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM
LUNCH: 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Corliss Park Apartments - Community Room
1450 Corliss Park Troy, NY 12182
For more information & updates, check www.Rensco.com in the "How do I section"
7/3 - 8/31
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:00 AM-9:30 AM
LUNCH: 11:30 AM-1:00 PM
Griswold Heights - Community Room
350 Griswold Heights Troy, NY 12180
For more information & updates, check www.Rensco.com in the "How do I section"
7/3 - 8/31
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:00 AM-9:30 AM
LUNCH: 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
Hope 7
596 Pawling Ave. Troy, NY 12180
Call 518-272-8029 before you arrive
7/3 - 8/31
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 12:00 PM-12:30 PM
SNACK: 4:15 PM-4:45 PM
Lansingburgh High School
320 7th Ave Troy, NY 12182
For more information & updates, check www.Rensco.com in the "How do I section"
7/5 - 8/25
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 7:30 AM -8:30 AM
LUNCH: 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
Martin Luther King Apt (In Lodge)
1 Eddy Lane Troy, NY 12180
For more information & updates, check www.Rensco.com in the "How do I section"
7/6 - 8/31
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:30 AM-10:00 AM
LUNCH:12:00 PM-1:30 PM
Oakwood Community Center
313 10th Street Troy, NY 12180
For more information & updates, check www.Rensco.com in the "How do I section"
7/10 - 8/4
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
LUNCH: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
South Troy Pool
1 S. Troy Pool Lane Troy, NY 12180
7/5 - 8/18
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Stephentown Memorial Library
472 State Route 43 Stephentown, NY 12168
For more information & updates, check www.Rensco.com in the "How do I section"
7/3 - 8/4
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM
LUNCH:11:45 AM - 12:30 PM
Sunnyside Center
110 East Sunnyside Way Troy, NY 12180
For more information & updates, check www.Rensco.com in the "How do I section"
7/3 - 8/11
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
SNACK: 2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Taylor Apartments - Community Room
125 River Street Troy, NY 12180
For more information & updates, check www.Rensco.com in the "How do I section"
7/3 - 8/31
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 7:30 AM-8:30 AM
LUNCH: 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
Troy Central Little League
3201 7th Ave Troy, NY 12180
7/3 - 8/31
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Turnpike Elementary School
55 New Turnpike Road Troy, NY 12182
7/5 - 8/18
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
LUNCH: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Unity House of Troy
2431 6th Ave Troy, NY 12180
7/10 - 8/18
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
LUNCH:12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Walter S. Pratt Memorial Playground (East Street Splash Park)
East St. Rensselaer, NY 12144
For more information & updates, check www.Rensco.com in the "How do I section"
7/5 - 8/4
Monday - Friday
LUNCH:12:30 PM-1:30 PM
YMCA of Troy
2500 21st St Troy, NY 12180
8/21 - 8/31
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
SNACK: 2:30 PM-3:30 PM
2023 Saratoga County Summer Meals Sites & Activities
Summer meals and activities are open to the public unless otherwise specified with enrollment details. For a printable version of the county cards, click here.
Cheryl's Lodge
24 Fern Ln., Clifton Park
Enrollment required. Please call 518-371-1185 for details.
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 8 AM - 9 AM
LUNCH: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Corinth Elementary School
356 Center St., Corinth
Enrollment required. Please call 518-371-1185 for details.
7/10 - 8/10
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
D&R Village
430 Route 146, Clifton Park
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 12:45-1:15
Join C.R.E.A.T.E. Studios Fridays 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM for an activity
Fort Hardy Park
14 Ferry St. Schuylerville
7/6 - 8/24
Tuesday - Thursday
LUNCH: 11 AM - 12 PM
Join C.R.E.A.T.E. Studios Wednesdays 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM for an activity
Kayadeross Acres
885 Middleline Rd., Ballston Spa
Enrollment required. Please call 518-371-1185 for details.
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 11:45 AM -12:15 PM
Louden Oaks
314 Louden Rd., Saratoga Springs
Enrollment required. Please call 518-371-1185 for details.
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 1:20 PM -1:50 PM
Join C.R.E.A.T.E. Studios Thursdays 1:30 AM - 2:30 PM for an activity
Malta Gardens
2378 Route 9, Mechanicville
6/26 - 8/25
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 11 AM - 1 PM
Maple Avenue Middle School
515 Maple Ave, Saratoga Springs
Free lunch pick-up at the outdoor classroom in front of the school. For questions, please call 518-371-1185.
6/26 - 8/31
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 11:30 AM - 12 PM
Mechanicville Elementary School
25 Kniskern Ave., Mechanicville
Enrollment required. Please call 518-371-1185 for details.
6/28 - 8/25
Monday - Friday
BREAKFAST: 7 AM - 9 AM
LUNCH: 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Mechanicville High School Summer Academy
25 Kniskern Ave., Mechanicville
Enrollment required. Please call 518-371-1185 for details.
7/10 - 8/10
Monday - Thursday
BREAKFAST: 9 AM - 10 AM
LUNCH: 11 AM - 12 PM
Mechanicville Elementary School Summer Academy
25 Kniskern Ave, Mechanicville
Enrollment required. Please call 518-371-1185 for details.
7/10 - 8/10
Monday - Thursday
BREAKFAST: 9 AM - 10 AM
LUNCH:11 AM - 12 PM
Mechanicville Library
190 N. Main St., Mechanicville
7/5 - 8/25
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 12 PM- 1 PM
North Pointe Apartments
1688 Rt 9, Clifton Park
Enrollment required. Please call 518-371-1185 for details.
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Northern Pines Mobile Home Community
3901 Lewis Rd, Ballston Spa
6/26 - 8/25
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 11 AM - 1 PM
Park Avenue Playground
711 Park Ave., Mechanicville
7/5 - 8/25
Monday - Friday
LUNCH:11 AM - 1 PM
Pyramid Pines
342 Cordova Way, Saratoga Springs
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 12:45 - 1:15
Saratoga Hills Park
1 Maple Ln., Stillwater
Enrollment required. Please call 518-371-1185 for details.
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 10:30 AM - 11 AM
Saratoga Village
900 Rock City Rd., Ballston Spa
Enrollment required. Please call 518-371-1185 for details.
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH:11 AM - 11:30 AM
Join C.R.E.A.T.E. Studios Tuesdays 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM for an activity
Schuylerville Public Library
52 Ferry St, Schuylerville
7/5 - 8/25
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 12 PM - 1 PM
Summer Adventure Camp
6 S. Main St., Mechanicville
Enrollment required. Please call 518-371-1185 for details.
7/5 - 8/17
Monday - Friday
LUNCH:11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
2023 Schenectady County Summer Meals Sites & Activities
Summer meals and activities are open to the public unless otherwise specified with enrollment details. For a printable version of the county cards, click here.
Central Park Pavilion
Iroquois Way & Ashmore Ave
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Join C.R.E.A.T.E. Studios Thursdays 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM for an activity
C.O.C.O.A. House
869 Stanley Street
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
Site is temporarily closed - check back for updates
Collins Park
Schonowee Avenue, Scotia
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Faith Deliverance Tabernacle Church
1028 Ostrander Place
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
Girls Inc.
962 Albany St
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
Grace and Mercy/Tabernacle Baptist
1401 State Street
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Hillhurst Park
2301 Campbell Ave
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM
Activity with Boys & Girls Club of Schenectady (7/5 - 8/18) Monday - Friday from 11 AM - 5 PM. Requires parent/guardian to fill out a program form.
MacGathans Townhouses
195 Jerry St
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
Mont Pleasant Library Branch
1036 Crane St
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
Orchard St. Park
720 Crane Street
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Join C.R.E.A.T.E. Studios Mondays 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM for an activity
Quackenbush Park
1121 Forest Road
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Activity with Boys & Girls Club of Schenectady (7/5 - 8/18) Monday - Friday from 11 AM - 5 PM. Requires parent/guardian to fill out a program form.
Schenectady Public Library
99 Clinton Street
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
SiCM Campus
837 Albany Street
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Southgate Apartments
105 Frank Street
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Join C.R.E.A.T.E. Studios Fridays 11:30 PM - 1:30 PM for an activity
St. Luke's Catholic Church
1245 State St
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM
Steinmetz Park
Lenox Road
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Activity with Boys & Girls Club of Schenectady (7/5 - 8/18) Monday - Friday from 11 AM - 5 PM. Requires parent/guardian to fill out a program form.
Wallingford Park
1000 Congress St
6/26 - 9/1
Monday - Friday
LUNCH: 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM
Join C.R.E.A.T.E. Studios Tuesdays 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM for an activity
Hi, everyone! I’m Badia Syed, one of the Bank of America Student Leaders who interned at United Way of the Greater Capital Region this summer. The past few months were a very new and exciting experience for me. As a high school student here in Albany, I never had the opportunity to work in a professional work environment before, so being part of such an amazing program and gaining work experience was so valuable.
This summer has been filled with meeting new people, being part of the community, and realizing new ways I can help others in my community. Although I didn’t know much about the Summer Meals Collaborative before my internship, I’m glad I was given this opportunity through the program. Being able to work with United Way and many other local nonprofits was such a gratifying experience. Knowing I was able to speak to kids and their families - hearing both the good and bad - allowed me to bring different issues to the collaborative's attention and help come up with potential solutions for future summers.
Having the opportunity to go to Washington, D.C., with other Student Leaders was another surreal experience. Spending time with other young people from all over the country who were doing similar work with nonprofits made us feel part of an even larger community.
This summer has given me a greater understanding of what it means to be part of a community and offered insight into the many ways I can volunteer to support those who may need it the most. All of these opportunities combined to make an experience I will never forget!
Hi, I’m Jay Thomas, and I just wrapped up a summer interning at United Way of the Greater Capital Region through the Bank of America Student Leaders Program. We spent the past few months working with Heather Senecal and United Way’s many partners in the Summer Meals Collaborative. When the internship was brought to my attention, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I already had a job I enjoyed at Domino’s, but after reading more about the program, I realized it would be a great chance to learn how nonprofits and businesses work while also helping the community. After learning I was accepted to the program, I was thrilled! One day after graduating from Albany High School, I left my old job and started my internship at United Way.
We visited many different sites to help with research and also connected with the kids, staff, and parents, who gave us their honest opinions about the program. It feels gratifying knowing that our research will help improve the program in the future. We also launched “Spot the Bus” and “Spot the Lawn Sign” campaigns on social media, which helped get the word out about the more than 80 Summer Meals sites in the Capital Region! These tasks helped me build more confidence and be more open to constructive feedback. The staff and volunteers truly advocate for the kids and want the best for them.
Being in this program gave me ideas on what I can do for my community. I believe we all need to do our part if we want to make lasting changes and help all our friends and neighbors prosper. When I wasn’t visiting Summer Meals sites, I got to interact with other people in the office, hearing about what they do for a living and what kind of advice they could offer me before going to Binghamton University this fall for business.
Badia and I also got to travel to Bank of America’s summit in Washington, D.C., where I met with other Student Leaders from across the country who were working for nonprofits like United Way. Having discussions with them about the country and how we can make a change made me hopeful for the future. Overall, I am so thankful for this experience and the people I’ve met. It’s been a fun and productive summer for me! It was definitely a better use of my talents than making pizzas!
About the Summer Meals Collaborative
The Summer Meals Collaborative was launched in 2013 to address childhood hunger by offering FREE meals to ALL kids & teens throughout the summer. United Way of the Greater Capital Region works with local partners to share knowledge, networks, and resources to build a more food-secure landscape in our community.
Summer Meals has served 1.9 Million meals since 2013! Help us raise awareness to add new partners, and meal sites and promote nutrition security in the Capital Region by donating today.
No Kid Should Go Hungry
Lack of nutritious food, especially at an early age, can have long-lasting effects on a child's education and development. Research shows food insecurity affects both physical and mental health and brain development in children.
Out of the approximately 50,000 children who eat free and reduced-price meals during the school year, less than 1 in 7 access free summer meals.
- 7.3% of New Yorkers reported food insufficiency in the summer of 2021
- 10.8% of New Yorkers reported food insufficiency in the fall of 2022
- 13.4% of New York households with children reported food insufficiency in the fall of 2022
Summer Meals are Essential to Nutrition Security
Rates of food insufficiency have remained elevated for ALICE households since the beginning of the pandemic. ALICE households live above the Federal Poverty Level but don't earn enough to afford a basic survival budget.
Learn more about what the Summer Meals Collaborative tells us about the issue of hunger in the Capital Region.
Spread the Word about Summer Meals!
Below is a toolkit of images you can use on your social channels to help us spread the word about Summer Meals, so every kid has an opportunity to take part this summer!
Social Media
GIVE
Your gift goes directly towards supporting our goal to provide healthy, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods, as well as providing fun programming at meal sites to nourish the mind and stay active.
DONATE NOW
ADVOCATE
Temporary pandemic provisions at the federal level allowed Summer Meals sites to be flexible in how they were able to serve their community with grab-and-go and mobile food options, ultimately serving more kids and families. The Summer Meals Collaborative and organizations like Hunger Solutions New York are working hard to make provisions permanent and increase resources for child nutrition programs.
VOLUNTEER
Summer Meals sites and other summer learning volunteer opportunities could use your help. See how you can get involved through UnitedtoVolunteer.org
Collaborative Members
Albany Center Gallery - Activity Partner
Boys & Girls Club of Capital Area
CAPTAIN Community Human Services
C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios- Activity Partner
New York State Education Department
Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York
Rensselaer County Dept. for Youth
Russel Sage College - Research Partner
Schenectady City School District
Schenectady Community Ministries
Siena College - Research Partner
Summer Meals is supported by
