Additional student meal sites now available in Philly

Siblings eating school lunch
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Officials on Wednesday announced the expansion of student meal sites providing free food throughout Philadelphia. In addition to the city’s Playstreets program, which closes off residential streets to provide free meals for local students, there is also an abundance of locations offering grab-and-go meals to ensure Philadelphia children do not go hungry this summer. 

There are currently 42 School District of Philadelphia sites, 13 Philadelphia Housing Authority sites and various charter schools offering food to children in need—many of whom would normally get food at school. 

The expansion of the School District of Philadelphia’s traditional summer meal programs has been made in an effort to help those in need as many Philadelphia families struggle financially due to the coronavirus pandemic.  

The most up-to-date locations for all Philadelphia food sites—general, student and senior sites—is available at phila.gov/food. New sites will be added to the map as expansion efforts continue. 

Officials announced on Wednesday that July 2 will be the final day for meal distribution at six Philadelphia schools—Sayre, Finletter, Overbrook Educational Center, Roxborough, Duckery and Bethune. However, beginning on July 6, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation centers will also be distributing grab-and-go meals for students. 

The Philadelphia Housing Authority has also expanded its program and is now offering free meals to local children at 13 sites from 9 a.m to 2 p.m. daily. At both the Parks & Rec sites and the Philadelphia Housing Authority locations, kids must be accompanied by an adult to pick up meals. 

The PHA meal site locations are listed below: 

  • Abbotsford Homes, 3226 McMichael St. 19129
  • Bartram Village, 5404 Gibson Dr. 19143
  • Fairhill Apartments, 2443 N. 11th St. 19133
  • Harrison Plaza, 1350 N. 10th St. 19122
  • Johnson Homes, 2500 W. Norris St. 19121
  • Oxford Village, 6150 Algon Ave. 19111
  • Raymond Rosen Homes, 2301 W. Edgley St. 19121
  • Spring Garden, 715 Brandywine St. 19123
  • John F Street Center, 1100 Poplar St. 19123
  • Wilson Park, 2500 Jackson St. 19145
  • Lucien E. Blackwell Center, 755 N. Markoe St. 19139
  • Westpark Plaza, 300 N. Busti St. 19104
  • Norris Community Center, 1914 N 11th St. 19122