For many children, the end of the school year means longer days, more sunshine, and a well-earned break.
But for caregivers, foster families, kinship providers, social workers, and the professionals supporting children every day… summer can also bring new questions:
- How do I keep kids active, safe, and engaged?
- Where can families turn for meals when school cafeterias close?
- What resources are available if routines, transportation, or childcare suddenly look different?
At Northwoods, we work alongside agencies and caregivers who know that supporting children doesn’t stop when the school year ends.
So as summer begins, we wanted to pull together trusted resources to help families stay nourished, connected, and supported in the months ahead.
When School Ends, Access to Meals Shouldn’t
For millions of children, school provides more than education; it provides consistency, community, and reliable access to healthy meals.
That’s why the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) created SUN Programs, a collection of summer nutrition resources designed to help children continue receiving meals and grocery support while school is out.
These programs include:
SUN Meals
Free meals and snacks are available to children and teens 18 and under at schools, parks, libraries, community centers, and other neighborhood locations—no application required.
SUN Bucks
Eligible families may receive $120 per child in summer grocery benefits to help offset the cost of meals while school is out. Availability varies by state.
SUN Meals To-Go
In some rural communities, families may have access to meal pickup or delivery options.
Summer hunger is real—but resources exist.
Need Help Finding Meals Nearby?
One of the easiest ways to find summer meal sites near you is through USDA’s live meal locator:
This interactive tool helps families locate:
- free meal sites
- pickup locations
- participating community partners
Because sometimes the biggest barrier isn’t eligibility, it’s simply knowing where to go.
Summer Safety Matters, Too
Summer brings freedom but also new risks.
From water safety and heat exposure to bike helmets and sun protection, trusted health organizations recommend a few simple steps to help kids stay safe and healthy.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, caregivers should:
- Never leave children unattended near water
- Use sunscreen consistently—even on cloudy days
- Encourage helmet use for bikes, scooters, and skateboards
- Watch for signs of dehydration or overheating
- Establish clear outdoor boundaries and check-in routines
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also encourages families to:
- Keep children physically active throughout summer
- Limit excessive screen time
- Build outdoor movement into daily routines
- Stay hydrated during warm-weather activities
These small habits can make a big difference—especially when routines shift.
Supporting Children Means Supporting Caregivers, Too
Whether you’re a:
- foster parent
- kinship caregiver
- social worker
- teacher
- guardian
- case aide
- parent balancing work and childcare
Summer can bring both joy and added pressure.
Transportation changes. Childcare shifts. Food costs rise. Schedules disappear.
That’s why planning early matters.
A few simple questions to ask now:
✔ Does your family know where nearby meal sites are?
✔ Are camp, childcare, or transportation plans in place?
✔ Are emergency contacts and medical information updated?
✔ Do children know who to call if plans change?
✔ Have you built in time for both structure and fun?
Because summer support isn’t just about activities, it’s about stability. View family, parent, and caregiver resources from the National Federation of Families.
Looking for State-Specific Resources?
Summer meal programs, SUN Bucks participation, and eligibility can vary by state.
The USDA keeps an updated, live directory of participating states, tribes, and territories:
You can also explore outreach materials and family toolkits:
A Final Thought
At Northwoods, we believe supporting children means supporting the people who care for them.
Summer may look different for every family. But every child deserves access to nourishment, safety, stability, and the chance to simply be a kid.
If you work in child welfare, human services, education, or caregiving, and know a family who could benefit from these resources, please share them.
Because strong communities start with informed caregivers.
