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 and often require no income verification, residency, or registration, making them accessible to everyone. Here’s a guide to free summer lunch programs 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.” Only a few sites have eligibility requirements. 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 a compilation of local resources. Holiday closing for Juneteenth and Fourth of July may affect availability.
Belton School District - Free Summer Meals
Free summer meals are available to any child 18 and under, regardless of home address or school of attendance. No registration is necessary, simply stop by a meal site during operating hours to receive a meal. Mondays-Fridays, June 2-August 8 this summer!
Kentucky Trail Elementary - June 2 - August 1, Monday-Friday, Breakfast from 8:00-8:35 AM, Lunch from 10:40 AM - 12:40 PM
Mill Creek Upper Elementary - June 2-July 10, Mondays-Thursdays, Breakfast 8:15 - 9:00 AM, Lunch from 11:30 AM - 12:25 PM
Scott Educational Center - June 2-July 10, Mondays-Thursdays, Breakfast from 8:00 - 9:00 AM, Lunch from 11:00 - 11:45 AM
Grace Early Childhood Center - June 2-August 1, Mondays-Fridays, Breakfast from 8:00 - 9:00 AM, Lunch from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Belton Middle School - June 2-July 10, Mondays-Thursdays, Breakfast from 7:40 - 7:55 AM, Lunch from 10:55 AM - 12:00 PM
Belton High School - June 2-26, Mondays-Thursdays, Breakfast from 7:40 AM - 8:15 AM, Lunch from 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Wilckens STEAM Academy at Hillcrest - June 2-June 26, Mondays-Fridays, Breakfast from 8:30 - 9:45 AM, Lunch from 11:30 AM- 1:25 PM
Memorial Park - June 2-August 8, Mondays-Fridays, Breakfast from 8:30 - 9:30 AM, Lunch from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Southfork Trailer Community - June 2-August 1, Mondays-Fridays, Breakfast from 8:00 - 9:15 AM, Lunch from 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
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.
Kansas City Kansas Public Library (South Branch) - 3104 Strong Ave, Kansas City, KS 66106 - June 6 - August 8 - Monday & Friday 11:30 AM - 12 PM
Providence YMCA - 8601 Parallel Pkwy, Kansas City, KS 66112 - June 3 - August 12 - Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Catholic Charities Kids Summer Food Program - Johnson County Library
This program takes place Monday through Friday, 11 AM - 12 PM, from May 27 through August 8 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 2, FREE lunches for all children ages 1 to 18 will be available at select Children’s Mercy campuses. Lunches will be served on a first come, first-served basis. This summer’s program will run through August 8.
June 2 - August 8
Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m
Children’s Mercy Adele Hall (2401 Gillham Road) – CMRI Discovery Café
Children’s Mercy Broadway Campus (3101 Broadway Blvd.) – Lobby
De Soto USA 232 School District - Summer Meal Program
All meals are available for FREE to any child ages 1 – 18 regardless of residence or income thanks to the USDA’s federally-funded Summer Food Service Program. Meals at all sites will be available for dining onsite OR grab and go. Adults are also welcome to dine for just $3.25 per breakfast and $5.50 per lunch.
De Soto High School Athletics Foyer June 2 – July 31 (M-Th)
No Service June 30 - July 4
35000 W 91st Street, De Soto
Breakfast 7:45am - 10:30am | Lunch 10:45am - 12:30pm
Mobile Lunch Truck June 2 - July 31 (M-Th)
No Service June 30 - July 4
Stop 1: Clearview Village, 36000 W 103rd St, De Soto
Lunch 11:00am – 11:15amStop 2: Prospector’s Point, 9680 Lexington Ave, De Soto
Lunch 11:30am – 11:45amStop 3: De Soto Aquatic Center, 32907 W 84th St, De Soto
Lunch 12:00pm - 12:15pm
Take-Home Meals for Friday
Although they do not serve meals on Fridays, they offer breakfast and lunch take-home meal kits at the Thursday meal service, throughout the summer.
The “Friday” breakfast meal kit will only be available at De Soto High School at the Thursday breakfast service.
All locations will offer a “Friday” take-home lunch each Thursday.
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 28 and ending June 27. All meals are to be consumed on-site. Check the listing online for all the locations and dates.
Kansas State Department of Education - Summer Meals
Free meals are available for pickup or to be consumed on-site at community and school sites as part of the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) free Summer Meals program. Check out all the sites and learn details about dates, times, and eligibility using this locator link.
Kansas City Public Library - Kids Cafe
Free Kids Café meals provided by Total Man will be available for children ages 1 - 18 at each location. You do not have to provide proof of income, residency or citizenship. Available June 2 - August 15
Closed June 19 and July 4
Locations:
Bluford Branch - Monday - Thursday: 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Southeast Branch - Monday-Thursday: 12:00 - 1:30 PM
Waldo Branch - Monday - Thursday: 3:30 - 4:30 PM
North-East Branch - Monday- Thursday: 1:30 - 2:30 PM
Trails Wests Branch - Monday - Friday: 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Pop In at the Park: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 3:30 - 5:30 PM (Through August 8) - Check park locations here
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 Westview Elementary for breakfast and lunch. There are no income or registration requirements and all meals must be eaten on-site. Breakfast is available between 8:00 - 8:30 a.m., lunch is served between 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
The following is the schedule for free summer meals:
June 4 - 6
June 9 - 13
June 16 - 18 & June 20 (no Wed meals)
June 23 - 27
June 30 - July 2
Westview Elementary School 200 NW Ward Rd. Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services - Summer Food Service
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) helps ensure that eligible populations have access to nutritious meals during the summer months. Eligible participants include: children 0 through 18 years of age whose family incomes are less than or equal to 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines; and to income-eligible adults over 18 years of age who have been determined by a state educational agency to have a disability and who participate in a school-based program for the disabled during the school year.
SFSP contracts with schools and other community-based organizations to sponsor the local programs and provide meals that meet established guidelines. You can find locations at this site locator link.
Olathe School District
Olathe Public Schools Café 233 provides free meals to children during the summer. This summer, the program runs Monday-Thursday, June 2-July 24 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. There will be no food service program held June 19 or July 4. Any child ages 1-18 may participate. There are no income or registration requirements; however, participating families must eat the meals onsite. Lunch sites open to the public include:
Havencroft Elementary (1700 E. Sheridan Olathe, KS 66062)
Northview Elementary (900 N. Woodland Rd. Olathe, KS 66061)
Ridgeview Elementary (1201 E. Elm Street Olathe, KS 66061)
Washington Elementary (1202 N. Ridgeview Rd. Olathe, KS 66061)
Shawnee Mission School District - Summer Lunch Bunch
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 6/2/25 - 7/25/25. Adult lunches are available for $5 cash.
Closed 6/19, 6/20 & 7/4
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 West High School 8800 W 85th St
Not finding a location near you?
USDA National Hunger Hotline - 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE or online at https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sitefinder
Text the word “FOOD” or “Summer Meals” to 914-342-7744 for more information.
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
Updated 6/4/25
