Kinnikinnick, Harlem School Districts announces free meals, broadband internet assistance

Thankfully, most Roscoe area residents aren't experiencing serious poverty, but Kinnikinnick and Harlem School Districts are offering summer remote meals for their students. Families of Hononegah High School students can also pick up meals. Jill Mosher, Director of Nutrition Services for Harlem School District, says families can pick up free meals at Harlem Middle School on Wednesdays from 8:15-10:00 a.m. - five breakfasts and five lunches a week, along with milk for every meal (except July 6).

Jamie Carollo, Food Service Director at Kinnikinnick School District, says the school district is handing out free meals for all residents under the age of 18, including all Hononegah High School students. Families can pick up meals on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Roscoe Middle School at 6121 Elevator Rd. The program started Monday, June 21. Pick ups are only available on those two mornings a week, but Carollo says if parents can't make it then, they can ask a relative, friend, or neighbor to pick up for their family.

Kinnikinnick provides seven days of breakfasts and lunches - three days on Mondays, four days on Thursdays. Much of the food needs to be refrigerated until needed. Upon request, families can even take home half-gallons of chocolate milk. The school district offered white milk last summer, but kids weren't very interested in that if they could get chocolate milk. Carollo says "allergy aware meals" are available too.  "Email me ahead of time so I am able to pack your bag accordingly.

Besides food, many northern Illinois families have trouble paying for broadband internet service, especially during the pandemic. Area schools had been helping to make sure their remote learners could get online for classes, but the problem affects many families. One option promoted by Heartland Forward, the FCC and other local partners is the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB), a temporary federal program providing discounts of up to $50 a month for home internet service. Participants also get a one-time discount of up to $100 for a device (purchased through a participating provider). A household can qualify if at least one member:

• Participates in a federal assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid;
• Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school meal program;
• Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or
• Lost a job or experienced a substantial loss of income during the pandemic

Applications for the EBB program are available in both English and in Spanish. To learn more or to apply, visit: https://getemergencybroadband.org/ or call (833) 511-0311