Food Assistance
If your family would like help accessing food, fill out this form and someone will reach out:
Food Assistance Form
Nutrition Security & Hunger Prevention:
Hunger and food insecurity are two big issues that we aim to address every day when children arrive at school. Students need nutritious food academic success, an active lifestyle, and to support their development. That is why the Food & Nutiriton Services Department is grateful to partner with other departments such as Student Support Services and the Office of Family Engagement, as well as community partners such as the Food Bank of Central New York, the United Way of Central New York, along other grassroots organizations and community pantries, to make sure students have access to nutritious food both in and outside of the school day. In the Syracuse City School District, all students have access to free breakfast and lunch, and for those that participate in afterschool programs and sports teams, a snack or supper options, as well. In addition to providing free meal service to all, the Food & Nutrition Services Departments supports multiple hunger prevention programs to combat childhood hunger in our school communities.
Healthy Meals for All & Household Income Forms:
Starting in the 25-26 school year, New York State will provide universal free meals to all school districts that participate in the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program. The Syracuse City School District already provided universal meals to all students under the Community Eligibility Provision, so students will continue to receive free meals.
As a part of this program, in order for schools to ceive additional state and federal funding, and for students to qualify for programs such as Summer EBT or college application fee waviers, each family needs to complete a household income eligibility form. These forms need to be completed each academic year.
Breakfast After the Bell:
Students who eat school breakfast have higher scores on standardized tests, lower levels of behavioral, emotional, and educational problems, higher graduation rates, and higher school attendance as evidenced by No Kid Hungry. Our “Breakfast After the Bell” program allows students to receive a free breakfast even if they arrive late to school as long as arrival is before lunch service begins.
Weekend Food Packs:
The Food & Nutrition Services Department is grateful for our key partners, Blessings in a Backpack and the Food Bank of Central New York, who provide weekend food packs to deserving students across the district. Because of their commitment, schools can send students home with a pack of nutritious and accessible food items. Currently, nearly 2,000 students receive a food pack each weekend. If your family could benefit from a weekend food pack, please complete the Food Assistance form and staff will reach out.
In collaborate with the Office of Student Support Services and the Office of Family Engagement, and thanks to the generous support of the Food Bank of Central New York and the United Way of Central New York - the Food & Nutrition Services Department delivers meal kits to deserving families over extended school holidays. These meal kids are delivered directly to the family through DoorDash.
Summer Meals & Fresh Produce Pop-Ups:
Each summer, the Food & Nutrition Services Department hosts summer a breakfast and lunch program to ensure that students have access to food when school is not in session. During summer 2025, we operated meal sites at thirty-six different locations, including all SCSD summer school programs, community partner sites, and Syracuse City parks. Summer programming also included eighteen different community BBQ events. Thanks to the generous support of the Food Bank of Central New York, twelve school locations across the city also provided weekly pop-ups, where community members are able to take home fresh fruits and vegetables.
Make a Donation:
Click here to donate online to the Food Bank of Central New York, you may list "Syracuse City School District" in the comment section if you would like the donation to support these programs directly. You may also mail a check made out to the Food Bank of Central New York with "Syracuse City School District" in the memo and mail it to Food Bank of Central New York 7066 Insterstate Island Road, Syracuse, NY 13209.
Click here to donate online to Blessings in a Backpack. You may also mail a check made out to Blessings in a Backpack with Syracuse City School District Fund #1912” to Blessings in a Backpack Lockbox, P.O. Box 950291, Louisville, KY 40295.
