As summer rolls in with its relentless heatwave, the Peoria Unified School District is acting as a cool oasis of relief by offering free meals to kids up to 18. With schools out, the threat of food insecurity spikes upwards, but PUSD is delivering a counter-punch by ensuring no kid goes hungry while school's out. The free meal program doles out breakfast and lunch, accessible Monday through Thursday, in a no-fuss, straightforward operation aimed at keeping the district's youth nutritiously engaged.
In a bid that's as refreshing as a cold glass of water on a scorching day, adults are not left high and dry either. Those over 19 can share in the belly-filling joy—breakfasts for $2 and lunches for a mere $4. Priced cheaper than a typical coffee shop affair, PUSD is tasting the problem of hunger at its roots, although the meals for adults are not free. Courtesy of the City of Peoria's announcement, these budget-friendly meals can be accessed at select locations, extending the kind offer from Monday to Friday.
The participating schools—Cheyenne, Cotton Boll, Desert Valley, Foothills, and Sundance Elementary—stand as hunger-fighting fortresses, ready to rally and serve the community's needs. For those juggling after-school activities or work schedules, the Peoria Community Center is also an ally in this campaign against hunger, opening its doors for free and reduced-price dinners between 5 pm and 6 pm, up until July 25, 2024. Ensuring no child is left behind, dinner is offered at absolutely no cost for the young ones, while the grown-ups can dig in for $4.peoriaunified.org/summermeals for the full listing of meal locations and times, and plan your summer meals accordingly.
