Free meal programs offered to children
Although school is out for summer, children 18 and under will continue to have access to nutritious meals.
Free breakfast and lunch will be offered at various locations over the summer months as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program. Many locations start serving Monday, June 12.
No registration, proof of income or identification is required to participate.
While the free summer meals programs are open to all children, the goal is to reach children from low-income families whose access to healthy food may be limited over the summer. In Kalispell Public Schools, for example, 41 percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunches, according to district Food Service Director Jana Graham.
Currently, Kalispell, Libby, Polson, Ronan and Whitefish have finalized serving times and locations.
In addition to serving meals, some locations will have fun activities and games planned for different age groups to engage students in physical activity and learning while school is out.
Kalispell will hold a kickoff event from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, June 16, at Woodland Park and June 23 at Gateway Community Center. There will be water games, kickball and a gardening lesson by Montana Food Corps member Caitlin Coghlan.
Most sites will not be serving on July 4.
Organizations that serve meals receive some reimbursement through the federal Summer Food Service Program.
Following are current locations and times. To view an updated map of locations where free meals are being served visit www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks. To receive a list of the nearest locations text “lunch” to 877877.
Kalispell
All locations will serve weekdays, June 12 to Aug. 18
- Woodland Park, 1 Woodland Park Loop
Breakfast — 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Lunch — 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Elrod School, 412 3rd Ave. W.
Breakfast — 8 to 9 a.m.
Lunch — 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Gateway Community Center, 1203 U.S. 2, entrance “B”
Lunch — 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information on Kalispell’s program call No Kid Hungry volunteer Johnny Pena at 406-212-2811 or johnny.pena@mt.gov.
Libby
- McGrade Center gym, 933 Farm to Market
Mondays through Thursdays, June 26 through July 27
Lunch — 10:30 to 11 a.m.
For more information call 406-293-8811
- Libby Christian Church, 100 Kootenai River Road
Mondays through Thursdays, June 12 through June 15
Breakfast — 8:30 to 9 a.m.
Lunch — Noon to 12:30 p.m.
For more information call 406-293-8811
- Christ Lutheran Church, 200 West Larch St.
Mondays through Thursdays, July 24 to July 27
Breakfast — 8:30 to 9 a.m.
Lunch — Noon to 12:30 p.m.
For more information call 406-293-8811
- Asa Wood Elementary, 700 Idaho Ave.
Mondays through Thursdays, June 12 through July 27
Breakfast — 8:00 to 9 a.m.
Lunch — 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
For more information call 406-293-4010
Polson
- Cherry Valley Elementary, 107 Eighth Ave. W.
June 12 through Aug. 4
Breakfast — 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Lunch — 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
- CSKT Early Childhood Services, 37181 Turtle Loop
June 19 through Aug. 4
Lunch — 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
- Polson Middle School, 1602 Second Ave. W.
July 17 through Aug. 4
Breakfast — 8 to 10 a.m.
Lunch — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information on Polson’s program call Deb Anderson, 406-883-6355, ext. 604.
Ronan
- Pablo Elementary, 603 Fourth Ave E. Pablo
Weekdays, June 12 through June 30
Lunch — 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
- Ronan Middle School, 35885 Round Butte Road
Weekdays, June 12 through Aug. 18
Breakfast — 8:15 to 10:30 a.m.
Lunch — 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information call 406-676-3390.
Whitefish
All locations will serve weekdays, June 19 through Aug. 18
- Skate park, 305 Armory Road
Breakfast — 8 to 9 a.m.
Lunch — 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
For more information call 406-261-3705.
- Whitefish Middle School, 600 East Second St.
Lunch — 12:15 to 1 p.m.
For more information call 406-862-8620.
- City Beach, Lakeside Boulevard
Lunch — 1 to 1:45 p.m.
For more information call 406-862-8620.