Free, nutritious meals are available to children this summer through a variety of programs in the Wichita area.
USD259 Summer Food Program
Wichita Public Schools, USD 259, provides free grab-and-go meals with breakfast and lunch items for any child ages 1-18 during the Summer Food Program, which is from June 1 through July 31, 2020. Due to the delay of the start of school, WPS Nutrition Services is extending the Summer Food Program through Aug. 31 and providing free grab-and-go meals twice a week with breakfast and lunch items for any child ages 1-18.
The meals are available from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at nine locations in Wichita.
Free Meal Locations from USD259:
- Coleman Middle School
1544 N. Governeour Rd., Wichita, KS 67206 - Curtis Middle School
1031 S. Edgemoor St., Wichita, KS 67218 - Hamilton Middle School
1407 S. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67211 - Isely Traditional Magnet Elementary School
5256 N. Woodlawn, Bel Aire, KS 67226 - Jardine STEM and Career Explorations Academy
3550 Ross Parkway, Wichita, KS 67210 - Mueller Aerospace and Engineering Discovery Magnet Elementary School
2500 E. 18th St. N., Wichita, KS 67214 - Pleasant Valley Middle School
2220 W. 29th St. N., Wichita, KS 67204 - Truesdell Middle School
2464 S. Glenn Ave., Wichita, KS 67217 - Wilbur Middle School
340 N. Tyler Rd., Wichita, KS 67212
Meals can be picked up twice a week, on Mondays and Wednesdays. On Mondays, children can pick up two breakfasts and lunches, and on Wednesdays they can pick up three breakfasts and lunches.
The five days’ worth of free meals are available to all students, not just students who receive free/reduced meals during the school year.
No meal reservations are required and there are no qualifying guidelines or paperwork to fill out. Participants can go to the location serving breakfast and/or lunch during the designated times and they will be accommodated.
Only children who are present can receive a meal.
Wichita Transit is offering free bus rides to and from meal locations 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for WPS students and their accompanying guardians.
Visit usd259.org/menu to see the weekly menu and find a link to the locations for meal distribution.
The Kansas State Department of Education and the United States Department of Agriculture sponsor the Summer Food Service Program, which Wichita Public Schools has administered since 1982.
USDA Meals for Kids Site Finder
The United States Department of Agriculture has developed an interactive map to help you find free meals for kids during the summer. Go to fns.usda.gov/meals4kids for a link and more information about the map.
In 2020, there are 44 locations listed within 10 miles of Wichita. These locations include churches and other community organizations that offer free meals for kids during the summer.
The USDA National Hunger Hotline is also a helpful resource for people seeking food assitance. The hotline is operated by Hunger Free America and can be reached Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or in Spanish at 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273).
Filling the Gap Lunches for Kids
Filling the Gap Lunches for Kids is a program of Partners for Wichita that provides free lunches for kids ages 18 and younger who are at risk of going hungry during times when no school lunch programs are available.
The program serves free nutritious lunches for children and youth during Spring Break and the last weeks of summer vacation before school starts.
The sack lunches are made by possible by area congregations, agencies, organizations, and individuals in Wichita generously donating the food and their time. If you know of any kids who would benefit, please spread the word.
For more information about this program, including current locations where the free meals will be provided, visit PartnersforWichita.org/filling-the-gap or call (316) 263-1389.
Related:
