Every day around noon at River Oaks Community Education and Development Corporation in South Holland, the chatter quiets and anticipation builds as dozens of kids gather for one of their favorite parts of summer camp: lunch.
For 7-year-old Micah Gavin, an incoming second grader, lunch fuels him to participate in the activities he enjoys. “I love playing sports with my friends,” he said. “The food is really good and it helps me have energy to play and run around.”
Gavin is one of dozens of children participating in River Oaks’ free summer camp, which includes hot meals provided through the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s summer feeding program. The meals are often a highlight for kids like Gavin and 9-year-old Khaila Harris, who’s been attending River Oaks since she was five.
Khaila Harris (left) eats her lunch with a friend. (Photo by Lou Foglia for the Greater Chicago Food Depository)
“I get seconds every day,” Harris said proudly. “Yesterday we had macaroni. Today it’s meatballs and I’m so excited. I’m already thinking about it. And there’s always something healthy like fruits, veggies and milk. My mom likes it because she works, and it helps her not have to make lunch.”
That relief is exactly what Sonya Harrington, director of programming, had in mind when she and her husband founded River Oaks in 2010. Originally focused on academic enrichment for low-income students, they expanded into summer programming in 2020 and quickly realized how essential meal access was for their families.
The importance of summer meals
Across the Chicago area, many families face added financial strain when school is out for the summer and children lose access to the free or reduced-price meals they rely on during the academic year, forcing parents to stretch already-tight budgets to provide extra meals at home.
A camper at River Oaks Community Education and Development Corporation finishes up her meal with chocolate milk. (Photo by Lou Foglia for the Food Depository)
One in four families with children in the Chicago area experiences food insecurity, yet only about 12 out of every 100 students who receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year access summer meal sites.
This summer, the Food Depository is partnering with community organizations like River Oaks to close that gap. The Food Depository partners with libraries, schools, camps and more to provide free meals to children ages 18 and under across Cook County. In fiscal year 2024, the Food Depository served more than 430,000 meals to youth through our summer feeding programs.
Sonya Harrington helps serve a camper his hot lunch. (Photo by Lou Foglia for the Food Depository)
“It’s really important for a small nonprofit like us to take that expense off our budget,” said Harrington, referring to the meals the Food Depository provides. “And for our parents, most of whom are low-income, it’s one less thing they have to worry about. The Food Depository also connects us to other resources, like helping families sign up for SNAP [the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] and Summer EBT [a grocery benefit for families with school-age children].”
Harrington’s son, 11-year-old Sylvester Harrington, has been in the program “as long as he can remember.” His favorite dish? “Macaroni. I wish I could get thirds,” he said.
A lifeline for local families
A few neighborhoods away, in East Garfield Park, the summer sun shines down on the kids at Marillac St. Vincent Family Services as they return from the pool. Swimming is part of their full-day camp, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and serves youth ages 5 to 18. Like River Oaks, Marillac also relies on the Food Depository’s summer meals to keep kids nourished and focused.
Jimi Orange is grateful for the partnership and guidance the Food Depository provides. (Photo by Abel Uribe for the Food Depository)
“This neighborhood doesn’t have a lot of healthy food options,” said Jimi Orange, senior director of youth services and fatherhood programs. “The corner stores sell hot chips and pop, but when the kids are with us, we can make sure they’re getting real fruits, vegetables, sandwiches, burritos. And they love it. They love oranges. They love chocolate milk. It makes a real difference.”
At Marillac, Orange has seen how consistent access to nutritious food can shape a child’s experience, both inside and outside the classroom. The organization has long partnered with the Food Depository to offer a food pantry as well as after-school and summer lunches for children. “When kids have better food choices, it promotes better behavior and better academic achievement. Food is central to their development.”
Kareemah Martin makes sure every teen gets a nourishing lunch. (Photo by Abel Uribe for the Food Depository)
For Marillac staff member Kareemah Martin, the program’s impact is deeply personal. She grew up attending Marillac’s programs and now helps guide the next generation. “It was always school, Marillac, home. This was my home away from home,” she said.
“Our main goal is to pour into others what’s been poured into us. We know how it feels when you’re doing everything you can and there’s still a gap. We’re here to help bridge the gap.”
That commitment extends to every part of the camp day. Marillac’s program is free for families, and the meals are essential to making that possible. Recently, Marillac took 12 older students on a week-long college tour of several historically Black colleges and universities, an experience that otherwise might have been out of reach for many of the campers.
A satisfying meal gives Jeremy Caesar the energy to power through camp. (Photo by Abel Uribe for the Food Depository)
The impact of strong partnership
Both Orange and Harrington said it’s cost prohibitive to provide food for the campers on their own. “This partnership with the Food Depository has been tremendous,” Harrington said. “We can take kids on field trips, to the pool and still give them a healthy meal - sometimes their best meal of the day.”
Whether it’s meatballs in South Holland or burritos in East Garfield Park, these summer programs are nourishing more than just bodies. With every meal served, they’re feeding confidence, connection and the promise of a brighter future.
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