Delaware Summer Food Service Program

Food Assistance · Delaware · Free

Free summer meals for children 18 and under at sites throughout Delaware when school is out, coordinated through the Delaware Department of Education in Dover. Sites include libraries, parks, and community centers in all three counties. Children can eat on site during posted meal times; no ID, application, or proof of income is required. Fathers can check the state site or call for the closest participating location.

Contact & Details

Address: Multiple sites statewide

Phone: (302) 735-4060

Hours: Weekdays during summer

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About Food Assistance for Fathers

Food assistance programs for US fathers and families include SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children — which serves custodial fathers of children under 5), the National School Lunch Program, food banks through the Feeding America network, and Meals on Wheels. SNAP is administered state-by-state; eligibility is generally based on household income below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. Food banks operate in every state and are the fastest way to access food without an application — most require no ID or income verification for initial visits. TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) supplies food banks with USDA commodities. Summer Food Service Programs feed children during school breaks. This directory includes each state's SNAP office, regional food bank networks, and WIC clinics.

Food Assistance in Delaware

Delaware Family Court handles custody, visitation, and child support statewide through three county courthouses (New Castle, Kent, Sussex). The Division of Child Support Services operates under DSS. Delaware's small size means one consistent state system. Community Legal Aid Society (CLASI) and Legal Services Corporation of Delaware offer free legal representation.

More Food Assistance in Delaware

  • Delaware SNAP Benefits — Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program providing monthly food benefits to eligible Delaware families, administered through DHSS on North
  • Feeding America — Delaware Partners — Network of food pantries, meal programs, and mobile food distributions across Delaware affiliated with Feeding America's national system. Fa
  • Salvation Army Delaware — Food Services — Emergency food assistance and meal programs for Delaware families in need, coordinated from the Wilmington corps office on North Orange Stre
  • Friendship House — Dover Food Pantry — Emergency food pantry serving Kent County families with groceries and non-perishables from the Dover office on North Bradford Street. Distri
  • Sunday Breakfast Mission — Wilmington — Daily hot meals, emergency food, and grocery distribution for Wilmington families and individuals from the North Poplar Street campus. The m
  • Newark Senior Center Food Distribution — Monthly food box distribution open to low-income families and seniors in Newark from the White Chapel Road senior center. Food boxes typical

Food Assistance — Common Questions

How do I apply for SNAP?
Apply through your state's Department of Human Services — online, in person, or by phone. Approval for basic cases can happen in 30 days; expedited SNAP is available within 7 days for households in severe need. Bring ID, proof of income, rent/mortgage, and utilities.
Can I use a food bank without applying?
Yes. Most food banks and pantries don't require income verification, ID, or applications for initial visits. Feeding America's online locator (feedingamerica.org) finds nearby pantries by ZIP code. Most pantries let you visit once or twice a month.
Are custodial fathers eligible for WIC?
Yes. WIC covers custodial parents (including fathers and grandparents) of children under 5, and breastfeeding or postpartum mothers. It's commonly assumed to be mother-only — it isn't. Apply at your local WIC clinic. Income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
What is summer food service?
USDA's Summer Food Service Program feeds children 18 and under during school breaks. No application required — kids just show up at a participating site (schools, parks, libraries). Text FOOD to 304-304 to find a nearby site, or call 211.