Hunger Task Force battling summertime food insecurity with 'Meet Up and Eat Up'

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Summer is a peak season for childhood hunger, as students go without the meals they would normally receive at school.

That’s why Hunger Task Force is stepping in with a special campaign for the summer. It’s estimated that around one in five children in America live in homes without consistent access to food. During these summer months, when kids aren’t in school and don’t have those consistent meals, Hunger Task Force is offering free and healthy meals to any child under 18 years old in Milwaukee County.

The initiative is called "Meet Up and Eat Up." It has over 170 locations throughout the county, where kids can get all three meals for free and socialize with other kids their age.

That’s where the "meet up" comes into play. Milwaukee Recreation, the Boys and Girls Clubs and YMCAs provide activities for the kids, keeping them engaged and active throughout the summer.

To find the closest location, text “FOOD” to 304-304. More information is available on the HTF website, hungertaskforce.org.

Organizers say they hope to give out more than 600,000 meals this summer.