PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A hotline set up by the U.S. Department of Agriculture can help youth in South Dakota find places where they can have access to free meals this summer.

The USDA National Hunger Hotline provides information about sites where children and adolescents ages 18 and under can get nutritious meals through the federal Summer Food Service Program.

The state's Education Department says about 61,000 South Dakota students receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year. The summer program is meant to provide meals when school is not in session.

Education officials say nearly 429,000 meals were served last year through the Summer Food Service Program.

The hotline's number is 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE for assistance in Spanish. Facilities serving meals can also be found using an online tool.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

More From KXRB