{"id":27487,"date":"2025-06-17T07:00:58","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T07:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/?p=27487"},"modified":"2025-06-18T23:24:44","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T23:24:44","slug":"free-summer-meals-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/free-summer-meals-for-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Free summer lunches for kids back June 30","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

Family summertime traditions often include splash parks and backyard playdates, but some children face a critical unmet need when the school year ends: hunger.<\/p>\n

As many as 14 million children in the United States face food insecurity, or lack of access to adequate food, reports\u202fNo Kid Hungry<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany kids struggle to get their nutritional needs met in the summer months because they often lose access to free or reduced-priced meals at school,\u201d says Erica Lewis, RD, health promotion program manager at the\u202fMultiCare Center for Health Equity & Wellness<\/a>. \u201cMary Bridge Children\u2019s aims to fill that nutritional gap with healthy food that kids enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mary Bridge Children\u2019s<\/a> has served more than 60,000 free meals for kids during the summer since 2019, in partnership with the\u202fUSDA Summer Food Service program<\/a>. In 2024, 1,458 meals were served and made possible by over 800 hours of combined staff and volunteer support.<\/p>\n

New support this year comes from proceeds from Sound to Narrows<\/a>, MultiCare\u2019s hometown race tradition.<\/p>\n

Where and when to find free summer meals<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Free lunches will soon be available for children under 18 on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that the dates and mealtimes below are location-specific.<\/p>\n

Option #1:<\/strong> Mary Bridge Children\u2019s Outpatient Center \u2013 Tacoma<\/a>
\nFree lunch service<\/strong>: Weekdays from Monday, June 30, through Friday, Sept. 5
\nHours:<\/strong> 11am-1pm
\nNote: <\/strong>At the Tacoma campus location, meals will not be available Friday, July 4, or Monday, Sept. 1, in observance of national holidays.<\/p>\n

Option #2:<\/strong> Parkland\/Spanaway Pierce County Library Conference Room<\/a>
\nFree lunch service:<\/strong> Fridays from July 11 through Aug. 29
\nHours<\/strong>: Noon-1pm
\nNote: <\/strong>At the library location, story time will be available during lunch. Free books will also be available for participating families while supplies last.<\/p>\n

Getting there and enjoying lunch<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If visiting our Tacoma location, please note there is ongoing construction as we build our new pediatric hospital.\u202fWe recommend viewing the updated map and parking information before heading to campus<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At all sites, lunches must be eaten on-site due to program requirements. Seating will be available for children to relax and eat their meals.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe eat first with our eyes, which means the presentation of food really matters,\u201d says Lewis. \u201cWe put a lot of care into making meals that kids want to eat. In addition to offering a protein like turkey or peanut butter, the lunches will feature colorful sides of fruits and vegetables as well as milk. Every year we try new fun food combinations from participant feedback, so come see what tasty meals we are serving up in 2025.\u201d<\/p>\n

Find other summer meal sites<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you can\u2019t make it to Mary Bridge Children\u2019s Tacoma campus or the Parkland\/Spanaway Pierce County Library, you can find other free summer meals in communities across the country through the same USDA program:<\/p>\n