Roger Lolly and Louis Cioffi know a good idea when they hear one.
“When my wife saw what Chicken Salad Chick was doing, I mentioned it to Roger,” Cioffi, who co-owns Florida Boy Burger Co. with Lolly, said. “He immediately said, ‘Let’s do it.’ It wasn’t our idea. But we saw their post and are following their lead because it’s a good thing.”
A notice posted at Chicken Salad Chick’s Fort Myers location informs customers of the free kids meals available until SNAP benefits are restored.
What they’re doing is offering free kids’ meals until SNAP benefits are restored in Florida. As of press time, with the government shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were set to lapse Nov. 1. Nearly 3 million Floridians are expected to lose those benefits.
“We are not taking sides or making this political,” a post on Chicken Salad Chick’s Facebook page read. “We just believe that no child should ever go hungry.”
Where to get your free kids meals
A half a chicken salad sandwich with fruit cup and juice box are one of the free kids meals being offered at Chicken Salad Chick in Fort Myers, Estero and Port Charlotte locations until SNAP benefits are restored.
Since Oct. 29, kids ages 10 and younger have received one free kids meal per day at Chicken Salad Chick’s Fort Myers, Estero and Port Charlotte locations. The child must be present, dine-in only and no other purchase is required.
Kids meal options include mac n cheese, a half of a chicken salad sandwich or a half of a turkey sandwich. All come with a fruit cup or chips and a juice box or fountain drink.
Chicken Salad Chick has several Southwest Florida locations, including this one in Fort Myers.
“Let’s look out for our children, who are both our most vulnerable and most valuable,” the fast-casual restaurant’s post concluded. “They are our future.”
Florida Boy Burger Co.’s Cape Coral and Fort Myers locations have a similar plan.
Children in kindergarten through 12th grade since Oct. 30 began receiving ne free kids meal per day at both locations.
“It’s available now,” Cioffi said. “I already told my staff to handle it.”
Florida Boy Burger opened July 29, 2024, in Fort Myers.
Options include a hamburger, cheeseburger, mac n cheese, chicken strips, hot dog and grilled cheese, all served with fries and a kids drink.
“Putting politics aside, this is about community,” Cioffi said. “It’s the right thing. It’s us as a human race. We have to do the right thing for each other. We’re always going to try to give back if we can.”
Edible Arrangements
Kids can receive a free fruit cup at Southwest Florida Edible Arrangements locations until SNAP benefits are restored.
Southwest Florida locations of this business, which specializes in fresh fruit arrangements, are helping out too. Kids can receive a fruit cup, made fresh daily, now until SNAP benefits are restored. No other purchase is necessary. Find them at 14261 S Tamiami Trail, Suite 16 in Fort Myers; 15201 N Cleveland Ave., Unit 607 in North Fort Myers; 26381 S Tamiami Trail, Suite 100 in Bonita Springs; and 1267 Airport Road S in Naples. Go to ediblearrangement.com for more.
Chicken Salad Chick, 7925 Dani Drive, Unit 100, Fort Myers, (239) 744-3023; 10151 Estero Town Commons Place, Unit 201, Estero, (239) 790-7108; 1799 S Tamiami Trail, Suite 104, Port Charlotte, (941) 699-2445; chickensaladchick.com or follow on Facebook
Florida Boy Burger Co., 4480 Fowler St., Unit 110, Fort Myers, (239) 245-7145; 1402 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral, (239) 471-7128; burgers.inc or follow on Facebook
Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at rhgeorge@fortmyer.gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Two local restaurants offer free kids meals until SNAP returns