(Canton, Ohio) – 15 school districts throughout Stark County have announced plans to continue distributing meals to students through the summer months.

Meal distribution began back in March when schools were closed per state requirements as an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus. While classes are now over for the school year, meal distribution is set to continue. Due to a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, schools are able to continue feeding children who are not in the building while still being reimbursed for meals. It is expected meals will be offered at more than 50 locations.

Additionally, reports indicate nearly all of the school sites will serve any child under the age of 18 regardless of family income and most do not require family registration. Most districts in the county have just adjusted the times in which meals will be made available throughout the summer, but the Canton City School District announced it is offering meals to families once a week using a food pantry style of service.

In addition to school sites, the Ohio Department of Education is sponsoring its annual Summer Food Service Program. The program offers meals to children ages 1 through 18 as well as to children with disabilities and approved individual education programs through the age of 21. You can view a map of this year’s summer food sites here.