Free Summer Lunch for Kids in Kansas City
Summer break brings more kids and families together during the week, creating a greater need for affordable meal options in the Kansas City metro area. Fortunately, some local libraries, schools, and charitable organizations across Kansas City offer free lunches for children aged 18 and under. These programs are entirely free, often requiring no income verification, residency, or registration, making them accessible to everyone. Here’s a guide to free summer lunch programs available for kids in the Kansas City metro area.
A common misconception about these summer "free lunch" programs is that they are only for low-income families or those experiencing food insecurity. In reality, the more people who participate, the more it demonstrates the program's necessity, helping to secure ongoing private or federal funding. If you are not experiencing food insecurity, check the listing to ensure it is “open to everyone.” By participating, you support the sustainability of these programs for yourself and others in need!
Disclaimer: This information was copied/pasted from the organizations’ websites. This is not my work, just a compilation of local resources. Holiday closing for Juneteenth and Fourth of July may affect availability.
Catholic Charities Kids Summer Food Program - Kansas City, KS
This summer meal program is funded by the USDA and designed to provide kids and teens ages 18 and under with healthy meals during the summer months when school is out of session. Participating in summer meals can save families time and expenses spent grocery shopping and meal prepping. You do not have to provide proof of income, residency or citizenship. Meal must be consumed on-site.
Cyrus K. Holliday - 1723 South 37th Ct, Kansas City, KS 66106 - June 7 - July 26 - Fridays 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Douglas Heights - 4108 Lawrence Dr, Kansas City, KS 66106 - June 7 - July 26 - Fridays 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Providence YMCA - 8601 Parallel Pkwy, Kansas City, KS 66112 - May 28 - August 8 - Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
The Arc - 2324 Ruby Ave, Kansas City, KS 66106 - June 7 - July 26 - Fridays 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
St. Margaret's Park - 357 Perry Sq, Kansas City, KS 66101 - June 7 - July 26 - Friday 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Catholic Charities Kids Summer Food Program - Johnson County Library
This program takes place Monday through Friday, 11 AM - 12 PM, from May 30 through August 4 at the Central Resource Library. The Library will be closed June 19 and July 4 and the food program will not be available on those days. Children up to 18 years of age receive a free nutritious meal at the Library. Catholic Charities operates the Kids Summer Food Program in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Kansas Department of Education. You do not have to provide proof of income, residency or citizenship. Meal must be consumed on-site.
Central Resource Library 9875 W 87th St. Overland Park, KS 66212
Children’s Mercy Hospital - Kids Eat Free Program
Beginning Monday, June 3, FREE lunches for all children ages 1 to 18 will be available at Children’s Mercy’s Adele Hall campus. Lunches will be served in the KC Café on the ground level, and are available Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on a first come, first served basis. This summer’s program will run through August 9.
Children’s Mercy Adele Hall Campus - 2401 Gillham, Kansas City, MO 64108
Independence School District - Free Summer Meals
The Independence School District is making free breakfast and lunch available to children age 1 – 18 this summer at select locations. Meals are available starting May 29 and ending August 7. All meals are to be consumed on-site. Enrollment in ISD schools or programs is not required.
Tuesday – Friday | May 29 – June 28
Benton Elementary 429 S Leslie Avenue
Breakfast: 8:45 AM – 9:45 AM Lunch: 10:50 AM – 1 PM
Santa Fe Elementary 1301 Windsor St
Breakfast: 8 AM – 9 AM Lunch: 11 AM – 1 PM
Mill Creek Elementary 2601 N Liberty Street
Breakfast: 8:45 AM – 9:45 AM Lunch: 11 AM – 1 PM
Three Trail Elementary 11801 E 32nd Street
Breakfast: 8:45 – 9:45 AM Lunch: 11 AM – 1 PM
Mallinson Elementary 709 N Forest St, Sugar Creek
Breakfast: 8:45AM – 9:45AM Lunch: 11 AM – 1 PM
Spring Branch Elementary 20404 E Truman Road
Breakfast: 8:45 – 9:45 AM Lunch: 11 AM – 1 PM
Bingham Middle School 1716 S Speck Road
Breakfast: 8 AM – 9 AM Lunch: 11 AM – 1 PM
Pioneer Ridge Middle School 1656 S Speck Road
Breakfast: 8 AM – 9 AM Lunch: 11 AM – 1 PM
Truman High School 3301 S Noland Rd
Breakfast: 7 AM – 8 AM Lunch: 10 AM – 11:30 AM
William Chrisman High School 1223 N Noland Rd
Breakfast: 7 AM – 8 AM Lunch: 11 AM – 11:30 AM
Van Horn High School 1109 S Arlington Ave
Breakfast: 7 AM – 8 AM Lunch: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Monday – Friday | May 29 – June 28
Little Blue Elementary 2020 Quail Dr
Breakfast: 8:45 AM – 9:45 AM Lunch: 11 AM – 1 PM
Cassell Park Elementary 10401 East 31st Street
Breakfast: 8 AM – 9 AM Lunch: 11 AM – 1 PM
Sycamore Hills Elementary 15208 E 39th Street S
Breakfast: 8:45 AM – 9:45 AM Lunch: 11 AM – 1 PM
Monday - Friday | July 1 – August 7
Korte Elementary 2437 S Hardy Avenue
Breakfast: 8 AM – 9 AM Lunch: 11 AM – 12 PM
Little Blue Elementary 2020 Quail Drive
Breakfast: 8 AM – 9 AM Lunch: 11 AM – 12 PM
William Southern Elementary 4300 S Phelps Road
Breakfast: 8 AM – 9 AM Lunch: 11 AM – 12 PM
Kansas City Kansas Public Schools - Free Summer Meals
Free meals are available for pickup at the KCKPS-affiliated community sites below and KCKPS summer sites for all persons 18 and below. Use this locator link to find a KCKPS school location with free meals.
Beatrice Lee (JFK) Community Center - 1310 N 10th St, Kansas City, KS 66101
Dates of operation: 6/24-7/26
Service Hours: Breakfast 08:30 am-9:30 am and Lunch 11:00 am-12:30 pm
Parkwood Pool - 950 Quindaro Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66101
Dates of operation: 6/24-7/26
Service Hours: Snack 12:55 am-2:00 am and Supper 3:00 pm-04:05 pm
Eisenhower Community Center - 2901 N 72nd St, Kansas City, KS 66109
Dates of operation: 6/10-7/26
Service Hours: Breakfast 08:30 am-9:30 am and Lunch 11:00 am-1:00 pm
Kansas City Public Library - Pop In At The Park
Pop In at the Park returns June 4 - Aug. 15, 2024 with five visits each week to some of your favorite parks. We'll pop up in local neighborhoods to provide summer learning resources for families, connect people with services, offer fun kids’ activities, and more. Stop by and receive a FREE BOOK! Free Kids Café meals provided by Total Man will be available for children ages 1 - 18 during each pop-up session. You do not have to provide proof of income, residency or citizenship.
Locations:
Tuesdays Loose Park - Wornall & W. 51st Street, KCMO, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. & Spring Valley Park - Brooklyn & E. 28th Street, KCMO, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Wednesdays - Gillham Park - Gillham Road & 41st Street, KCMO, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Thursdays - The Marlborough Green Space – Troost Avenue & E. 81st Street, KCMO, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Fridays - Lykins Square Park – E. 8th Street & Myrtle Avenue, KCMO, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30
Lee’s Summit School District
Lee's Summit R-7 School District has free meals this summer for anyone 18 years and younger. All are welcome at Meadow Lane Elementary for breakfast and lunch. There are no income or registration requirements and all meals must be eaten on-site. Breakfast is available between 8:30 - 9 a.m., lunch is served between noon - 1 p.m.
The following is the schedule for free summer meals:
May 29-31 (Wed.-Fri.)
June 3-6 (Mon.-Thu.)
June 10-13 (Mon.-Thu.)
June 17-18, 20-21 (No Wed. meals)
June 24-27 (Mon.-Thu.)
Meadow Lane Elementary 1421 NE Independence Ave. Lee’s Summit, MO 64086
Olathe School District
The Olathe Public Schools Food Services Team, Café 233, is hosting the Summer Food Service program for all children aged 1-18 from June 3 to July 25 on Monday-Thursdays from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Locations for summer meals include Northview Elementary School, Ridgeview Elementary School, Havencroft Elementary School and Washington Elementary School. No registration or identification is required. Meals must be eaten on site. No lunch will be provided on June 19 or July 4 due to federal holidays.
Shawnee Mission School District
Free lunches for all children ages 1-18. These meals are funded entirely by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Children need to be present in order to receive a meal and the meal must be consumed onsite. The Shawnee Mission food services department will prepare and serve these lunches during the summer.
Free lunch for children is available from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday from 6/3/24 - 7/26/24. Adult lunches are available for $5 cash.
Locations: Comanche Elementary 8200 Grant, Overland Park || Rosehill Elementary 9801 Rosehill Road, Lenexa || Shawanoe Elementary 11230 W 75th St || Westridge Middle School 9300 Nieman Road || SM North High School 7401 Johnson Drive
Not finding a location near you? Text the word “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 304-304 for more information (message rates apply).
I share more affordable fun things for families in Kansas City on the blog Kansas City Family Activities | Affordable and Fun.
6/8/24 - Gabrielle Isom
