Food Bank of Central New York is dedicated to ensuring that kids and teens have consistent access to nutritious meals. We help provide access to healthy food year-round, from providing hot evening meals at our after-school Kids Cafe sites to closing the gap during summer vacation with the Summer Food Service Program. The Food Bank also provides school break boxes in addition to supporting backpack programs and in-school pantries across our service area. Together, these programs work to reduce child hunger by nourishing students and their families.
Data collected July 2024 through June 2025
summer meals distributed at 16 sites
hot evening meals distributed at Kids Cafe sites
backpacks of healthy food distributed to kids in 11 schools
boxes of healthy food distributed to kids during school breaks
Summer can mean losing access to reliable school meals for the 1 in 5 kids across our service area who are facing food insecurity. To help close this gap, the Food Bank is proud to partner with the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Through SFSP, the Food Bank delivers meals to sites across our service area during the summer months, ensuring that kids and teens receive nutritious breakfast and lunchtime meals.
Click the button below for an interactive map with summer meal sites across New York State!
For a list of sites over the phone, please call:
English: 1-866-348-6579
Spanish: 1-877-842-6273
Or call 211 for assistance locating programs near you
Meals are provided to all children up to age 18 without charge. Acceptance and participation requirements for the programs and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.
Kids and teens can just show up during the scheduled meal hours and receive a free meal. Some summer programs provide breakfast and lunch. There may also be summer activities or learning programs available during mealtimes. You don’t need to fill out paperwork or show proof of income.
SFSP is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). In accordance with federal law and USDA policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
For questions or more information about SFSP, contact Amalia Swan, Chief Community Impact Officer, at (315) 437-1899 ext. 245.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Kids Cafe is an after-school program that provides children with free, nutritionally balanced meals. In addition to a warm meal, these sites offer kids a welcoming, safe environment where children can participate in fun, educational activities and receive help with homework or tutoring.
Click the button below to email for questions or more information about Kids Cafe, or call Amalia Swan, Chief Outreach Officer, at (315) 437-1899 ext. 245.
Backpack programs offer kids and their families free groceries to ensure access to healthy food during weekends and school breaks. This food includes easy-to-prepare, kid-friendly grocery items to make a few healthy meals, meaning children return to school on Monday ready to learn! Typical items include breakfast essentials like cereal or oatmeal, kid-favorites like mac & cheese, peanut butter & jelly, canned fruits and vegetables, and other snacks.
Named in honor of 17-year-old Caden, who chose to use his Make-A-Wish opportunity to help other children, Caden’s Wish Break Boxes provide much-needed food support to students during school breaks. Launched in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, this initiative received an outpouring of support from Make-A-Wish, The Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation, and local donors and resulting in over 2,100 boxes distributed across Cayuga and Onondaga Counties. This program has become a lasting part of our effort to reduce child hunger and strengthen community resilience.
Use our searchable map of food resources! Enter your home address in the search bar to see a list of food pantries, meal sites, distribution events, and additional resources in your area. The first search result is not necessarily the closest pantry to you; please review the full list to see which locations are closest or most convenient for you to attend.
