Children ages are 0 – 18 are eligible for free meals. Adults in many states are given a huge discount some lower than $2.50 per meal and still other states provide free meals for the mentally or physically disabled communities.

The following states have specific programs, however you can find out more information at the USDA website http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/ or http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Summer/Default.htm. The USDA free meal program is called the Summer Food Service Program.

(National) The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has local programs in many communities that service families with meals. Check their website for free meal times and locations.

(California) California Department of Education’s Summer Food Program. This program feeds not only the children, but the mentally or physically disabled community. Please check with the local state government website for additional information.

(Florida) Free meals are offered at most elementary school in every county in Florida. Check your local elementary school for times and locations.

(Georgia) The Seamless Summer Option Program, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture For more information on times and locations, please check the USDA website.

(Illinois) Free Meals for Children and Youth Summer Nutrition Program. For information on where and when the free meals are being served, please go to their website: cityofchicago.org/fss under the Chicago Family Services section.

(Indiana) Free Meals for Kids summer program in Bedford, Indiana. Their website has listings of times and dates free meals are available. Adults may purchase meals if they are over 18. http://www.bedfordonline.com/content/view/838/52/

(Oregon) Free Summer Food. Check their website summerfoodoregon.org for free meal times and locations or call their toll free number 800-723-3638.

(New York) Free Summer Meals for Kids. Their website has a complete listing of places and times that free meals are served: http://www.opt-osfns.org/osfns/resources/sch_search/SummerMeals.aspx

(Utah) Summer Free Food Service Program. Kids 0 – 18 can eat for free and a greatly reduced price of $2.50 per meal is for any adult. What a great deal! For more information go too: http://schools.utah.gov/cnp/Files/2009SFSPSites.pdf or call 800-453-3663 for free meal locations and times.

(Virginia) Free Meals put on by NPS Child Nutrition Department. Free meals for children and adults may eat for a discounted price of $3.25 a meal. Please contact Norman Public Schools Child Nutrition Department for additional information.

(Wisconsin) The Hunger Task Force. Please call (866) 211-3380 for locations that free meals are being served as well as times for free breakfast, lunch and snacks.

This is just a sample of states and programs. Please check your area for similar programs.

When it’s just about time for the kids to head back to school, but you’re short on cash after all of the summer activities, what can you do? Head to the ‘Back to School’ days at your locals stores of course.

Many stores (in fact most) have some of the largest sales during back to school time (July – October so it’s also a great time to get that Christmas shopping out of the way!). These sales can lead to massive savings.

As an example, Mervyn’s begins the third week in July and runs through August. Additionally, Mervyn’s works with a selected charity to help provide free clothes and other school items to underprivileged children.

If you know a child who would benefit from this program, please contact your local Mervyn’s in April at the very latest to find out how you can get a child enrolled in the program.

Savings at many stores is not all about the kids. Teachers can save as well. Staples and Office Depot have special savings programs for teachers who need to buy supplies. To find out more, contact Office Depot http://www.officedepot.com and Staples http://www.staples.com

You will find an extensive list of stores in my book, Shop for a Day with Jaci Rae – How to Get Almost Anything for Free or Next to It or you can go to the site, www.thequeenofgreen.com to find stores that are in you area and when they have their sales.

Even if you don’t have the money to shop at regular stores, great savings can be found everywhere! Check your local rummage sales for incredible bargains. I have purchased name brand items that still had the tags on them for $0.25 up to $1.75 each. Goodwill and the Salvation Army stores have great items for a fraction of the cost.

Go to websites like freecycle.com and look for bargain basement stores in your area as well as on the net. For Back-to-School supplies, be sure to go to K-Mart, Target and Wal-Mart to name just a few stores.

There you will find bundles of binder paper for 10 for $1 and pens, pencils, backpacks, calculators, erasers and every kind of school supply you can think of for a fraction of the cost. Stock up for the entire year so you won’t have to go shopping during a time that the items you need aren’t so inexpensive.

Target gives a portion back to the community so I always enjoy shopping there. Why not check with your neighbors and do bulk shopping together to split the costs. Help the teachers while you’re at it and buy some supplies for them.

All of these ideas are simple ways to save a lot of money.