Free Summer Meals

Available for all children in places where families live, learn, and play.

What are Free Summer Meals?

The Free Summer Meals program is a federal program that reimburses local governments, school districts, and private nonprofits to provide healthy meals to youth in low-income communities. Meal sites can be located at schools, parks, community centers, housing complexes, libraries, places of worship, and other places where kids learn and play during the summer months. In rural communities, meals can be provided through grab and go distributions and home delivery.

Get Involved

The Free Summer Meals program relies on partnerships with school districts and community organizations. Here are three ways that you can get involved:

  1. Host a Meal Site. A meal site is a physical location where meals are served to youth at no charge. Meal sites might be located at a school, community center, playground, place of worship, library, or even apartment complex. Many meals sites also provide enrichment activities for youth.

    Meal sites must be located in an area where a majority of youth are low-income. Many meal sites also need to have some food storage space available, like a refrigerator or cooler.

    Interested in being a summer meal site? We can help. Contact our team at foodsecurity@uwkc.org.

  2. Become a Program Sponsor. School districts, nonprofit organizations, and local governments can administer the Free Summer Meals program. Program sponsors must have the capacity to manage a federal program and the ability to run or contract for food service operations.

    Interested in becoming a program sponsor? We can help. Contact our team at foodsecurity@uwkc.org.

  3. Spread the Word. Download digital outreach materials or request free physical outreach materials to conduct outreach in your community.

Promote Free Summer Meals

Help families in your community connect to their nearest meals site:

Last updated: June 26, 2024