Send a text to find free meals near you

MORGANTOWN, Ky. – The USDA is working with local school systems to create a solution to some of the food insecurity issues facing our community while school is out.

Butler County schools are one of the providers of the summer food service programs providing children and teens in low-income areas free meals when school is out. The program begins Monday in Butler County.

“All of our students receive free breakfast and lunch because of our poverty rate. So, between August and May we know that our students are fed. It’s those months of June and July that we worry about if our students are eating what they are supposed to be doing and receiving the meals that they should,” Kaitlin Harrison, the Butler County Schools Nutrition Director said.

To further assist those in need, a number has been set up to inform people of nearby locations where the program is in place.

All you have to do is send a text.

“If you’re not sure of the closest place. to you where you could receive a free meal, you can text 877-877, and you can either text the word ‘food’ or the word ‘comida’ and it will tell you the closest place to you where you can receive a free meal,” Harrison said.

This texting system allows people in need to save time and money on traveling to receive the meal.

“You don’t have to drive too far to receive that free meal. With our program it can tell the rural areas that we are going to be at or if you live in our more urban areas, it can tell you the places in Morgantown that will be set up,” Harrison said.

The text will not only provide the location of the program nearby, but it will also provide times, days and contact information for three different nearby meals.

“That’s a great feature that everyone should utilize just to see what is most convenient for you,” Harrison encourages.

Most other counties in the state are involved in the program as well and residents can utilize the texting system as well.