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Chicago Public Schools has expanded its free programs provided to students to bridge one school year to the next and promote a safe, healthy summer.
There will be more locations citywide for Safe Haven and citywide summer feeding programs, including CPS’ LunchStop program, which is expanding to 35 outdoor sites across Chicago.
The Safe Haven program will expand to 110 sites across the city, offering free programs that help keep school-aged children off the streets and engaged in educational activities throughout the summer. The program runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, from June 30 through Aug. 8th.
Each site provides a variety of services , including reading programs, tutoring, performing arts, and the opportunity work with college graduates and mentors from the church communities.
This year’s programming will have a special focus on anti-bullying themes, engaging students in both educational and social-emotional activities that will prepare them for the next academic year.
Each of the 110 locations will provide students free breakfast and lunch through CPS’ partnership with New Life Ministries.
The West Side locations include:
| Greater True Vine | Pastor John Collins | 5936 W. Division | 60651 | (773) 626-3542 |
| Greater St. John | Rev. Acree | 1256 N. Waller Street | 60651 | (773) 378-3300 |
| Heirs of the Promise | Pastor Joseph Kyles | 4821 W. Chicago Ave. | 60651 | 773-342-5377 |
| Home of Life | Pastor Johnny Henderson | 4650 W. Madison | 60644 | (773) 626-8654 |
| Hope Community Church | Pastor Steve Epting | 5900 W. Iowa | 60651 | (773) 921-2243 |
| Inspiration Deliverance Center | Pastor Shirley Hughes | 647 N. Parkside | 60644 | (773) 287-4311 |
| Lively Stone | Pastor Contrell Jenkins | 4938 W. Chicago Ave. | 60651 | (773) 379-1750 |
| New Birth | Pastor Robbie Wilkerson | 5213 W. Potomac | 60651 | 773) 261-7404 |
| New Greater True Light | Pastor Robert Lockett | 5401 W. Chicago Avenue | 60651 | (773) 287-6485 |
| New Home Baptist Church | Rev. McCollough | 4804 W Polk St, | 60644 | (773) 378-2235 |
| New Mission | Pastor Purkett | 4700 W. Polk | 60644 | 773-287-0817 |
| Rhema Word Church | Pastor Virgil Brackett | 5460 W. Ohio | 60644 | 773.378.4327 |
| Rising Sun Church | Pastor Matthew Miller | 820 N. Central | 60639 | 773 921-0744 |
| St. Mark | Pastor Andre Thurmon | 832 N. Leclaire | 60651 | (773) 378-4601 |
| Sweet Relief | Bishop Stephenson | 4247 W. Division Street | 60651 | (773) 812-0774 |
| Truth & Deliverance | Pastor Abercrombie | 5151 W. Madison Street | 60644 | (773) 626-3800 |
| Union Star Baptist Church | Pastor Brooks | 3925 W. Chicago. Ave | 60651 |
| Universal MBC | Pastor Larry Mcclinton | 535 N Cicero | 60644 | (773) 287-7128 |
Summer feeding programs begin as early as this week at some locations, and will provide children 18 and under with access to free, nutritious meals between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
With the expansion of both summer feeding sites inside of schools and LunchStop carts outside of schools this year, children across the city will have access to free meals at more than 300 sites. For more information and a list of school locations, click here.
For more than a decade, CPS and partner organizations have been administering free meals to students across the city during summer breaks. For some of the eight out of every 10 students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, summer break can mean a lack of adequate access to food.
Last summer, CPS served about 800,000 breakfast and lunch meals.
For more information on how families can access free summer meals, click here.