Most students look forward to what their summer break has to offer, but some children living in poverty know that the summer months may include days with skipped meals — meals they would have received during the school year.
Nearly 43 percent of children in Cincinnati live below the federal poverty level, according to 2018 estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. About 18 percent of children in the Tri-State, or nearly one in five children, live in households below the federal poverty level.
Beyond the financial strain, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports hunger and food insecurity can negatively affect a child’s overall health, cognitive development and school performance.
That's why summer food programs offered across the country provide children snacks and meals over the summer.
See below for a list of 2019 sites where free meals are available this summer:
Ohio
Cincinnati Public Schools
- Dates available: June 3 - Aug. 2 (with some exceptions)
- Location(s): Schools, recreation centers, pools and other locations around the district
- Days and times: Breakfast and lunch times vary by location (click here for the complete list of sites). Arrive 15 minutes before serving time
- Exceptions: All sites closed July 4; meals must be eaten at the site
- Where to find more information: www.cps-k12.org/families-students/food-service/free-summer-meals
Fairfield City Schools
- Dates available: May 29 - Aug. 15
- Location(s) and times: Pinnacle on Pleasant (5001 Pleasant Ave.) from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Fairfield Acres (94 Sammy Dr.) from 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and Tylers Creek (7777 Wildbranch Road) from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.
- Days: Monday through Friday
- Exceptions: No meals July 4, July 5 and Aug. 5; adults can purchase lunch for $4 (cash only); meals must be consumed on-site
- Where to find more information: Fairfield City Schools offering students free summer lunches
Kings Local School District
- Dates available: June 3 - June 7 (daily); and June 10 - July 26 (Monday, Wednesday and Friday)
- Location(s): South Lebanon Community Center at 83 N. Section St.
- Time: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Where to find more information: Click here or call 513-398–8050, ext. 10027
Lakota Local School District
- Dates available: May 29 - Aug. 2***
- Location(s): Meals are delivered via a food bus to seven locations (click for complete list)
- Days and times: Monday through Friday; times vary by location
- Where to find more information: visit www.lakotaonline.com; call 513-644-1163
***Registration required
Lockland School District
- Dates available: May 28 - June 28
- Location(s): Lockland Elementary School at 210 North Cooper Ave.
- Days and times: Monday through Friday; breakfast 8:45 a.m. - 9:05 a.m.; lunch 11:45 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.
- Where to find more information: Click here or call 513-398–8050, ext. 10027
Middletown
- Dates available: June 10 - Aug. 9
- Location(s): MidPointe Library Middletown at 125 South Broad St.
- Days and times: Monday through Friday; noon - 1 p.m.
- Exceptions: Snacks available in youth department 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Where to find more information: Click here or call 513-424-1251
Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
- Dates available: June 3 - Aug. 16
- Location(s): Select library branches (click here for complete list)
- Days and times: Monday through Friday; times vary by location
- Exceptions: No meals on July 4
- Where to find more information: www.cincinnatilibrary.org/summeradventure/lunch
Reading City Schools
- Dates available: May 28 - Aug. 26
- Location(s): Reading High School Cafe at 1301 Bonnell Ave.
- Days and times: Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Exceptions: Closed July 4; adults can purchase a meal for $2
- Where to find more information: Click here
Trenton
- Dates available: June 3 - Aug. 9
- Location(s): The Edgewood Outreach Center at 405 Sycamore Road, Apt. 5
- Days and times: Monday through Friday; 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
- Exceptions: Snacks available 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
- Where to find more information: Click here or call 513-988-9050
The map below, provided by the Ohio Department of Education, provides more summer food service program sites throughout Ohio:
Kentucky
Boone County
Dates available: June 10 - July 3
Location(s): Collins Elementary at 9000 Spruce Drive
Days and times: Monday through Friday; breakfast 8 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.; lunch 11:30 a.m. - noon
Where to find more information: Click here
Boone County
Dates available: June 3 - July 3
Location(s): Florence Elementary at 103 Center St.
Days and times: Monday through Friday; breakfast 8:30 a.m. - 9 a.m.; lunch noon - 12:30 p.m.
Where to find more information: Click here
Campbell County
Dates available: July 8 - Aug. 1
Locations: Crossroads Elementary, Campbell Ridge Elementary and Cline Elementary
Days and times: Monday through Thursday; breakfast 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.; lunch 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Grant County
Dates available: June 3 - July 26
Location(s): Grant County Public Library, Meeting Room A (click here for additional locations)
Days and times: Monday through Friday; 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Exceptions: Adults can eat for $2
Where to find more information: Click here
Kenton County Public Library
Dates available: Varies by location
Location(s) and days: Erlanger Branch (Monday through Friday), Covington Branch (Monday through Friday) and William E. Durr Branch (Fridays only)
Times: Erlanger 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.; Covington noon - 1 p.m.; William E. Durr noon - 1 p.m.
Exceptions: Adults can pay a small fee for meals
Where to find more information: Kenton County public libraries offering free lunches to students this summer
Newport Independent Schools
Locations and dates: Newport High School June 3 - Aug. 8; Newport Intermediate June 3 - June 28; Newport Primary School July 8 - Aug. 1
Days and times: Monday through Friday; breakfast 8 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.; Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Exceptions: No meal service at high school July 1 - July 5
Where to find more information: Click here or call 859-292-3038
More resources for families struggling with childhood hunger:
Do you know of a free summer meal program not on this list? Email the information to Emily.Hanford-Ostmann@wcpo.com.
