Research shows when school lets out sadly many children don't get the meals they need because they rely on school lunches during the year for food.

In fact in Indiana nearly half of Hoosier students rely on free or reduced lunches during the school year for breakfast and lunch.

But there is help for families through the Summer Food Service Program.

Last summer the U.S.D.A. program helped fill the hunger gap with 2.6 million meals in the Hoosier state. The goal is simple: make sure children have at least one healthy meal a day.

Roberta Young, the lunch site director at Coquillard Park in South Bend, says kids start lining up for lunch before its even time to eat.

“They will be here when I get here at 10:15,” said Young.

The Summer Food Service Program not only provides at least one healthy meal a day for free, it runs five days a week.

“Just ‘cause schools out that doesn't mean that the hunger stops,” says South Bend Schools Food Services program facilitator Peg Howard. “Our children still need a nutritious meal, and this way we are ensuring our children are getting one meal a day.”

The program's been around for about 30 years and recently seen a spike in usage. “The last couple of years we've really seen a growth,” added Howard.

18-hundred meals are served a day in South Bend alone at nearly 30 meal sites conveniently located at schools or parks.

There is basically only one requirement for a free lunch, children must be between the ages of 1 through 18. Plus with some programs parents can pay a few bucks for a meal. Also it is first come first served.

“It has lots of nutrients and stuff and it’s very very healthy,” said Zoe Scharrock at the O’Brien Center while enjoying lunch.

Despite being accessible and affordable many parents still don't take advantage simply because they don't know about the service.

Studies show that 80 percent of students enrolled in the free or reduced lunch programs during the school year do not use the summer food assistance as a resource. Furthermore half of those families said it was because they did not know about it.

Mother of three, Mikeshia Fountain, said she was glad she found out about the free lunches last summer and plans to take her children everyday this year.

“You know at least they know their kids is going to get at least one meal, free,no cost, no charge, and its healthy,” she said. “It’s healthy and you can't go wrong with that.”

The schools are only paid for the meals they serve and they don't like to throw any food away. That means they are always welcoming as many children as possible.

For more information on the Summer Food Service Program, check these links below:

Indiana - Summer Food Service Program for Children

Michigan - Summer Food Service Program for Children

USDA - Federal website

Parents can also visit their school district’s website to see if a lunch program is offered.