Free Summer Meals for Kids in King County (2026 Guide)
- Backpack Brigade
- Jun 15
- 3 min read
How families can find summer meal sites and food support near them
Seattle is paradise in the summer — many of us will be enjoying culturally rich food festivals like Bite of Seattle, long summer cookouts on Alki and Golden Gardens, and Seattle dogs at the World Cup. But for almost 20,000 kids in the greater Seattle area, summer is a time to survive without the stability that school provides. While our warehouse closes for the summer, our dedicated partners provide special summer meal services for kids King County. For those looking volunteer, scroll to the end of this article.
Where to Find Summer Meals for Kids in King County
Summer Meal Sites
For readers looking for subsidized meal services until school is back in session, there are reliable resources ready to help.
Summer Meal Sites provide no-questions-asked summer services that do not require paperwork or ID.
Meals are distributed at convenient community locations — including schools, parks, community centers, and faith-based organizations.
Kids under 18 can drop by to sit and eat a meal or pick up a grab-and-go option.
Some sites offer fun and educational activities to keep kids busy and engaged during the long summer days.
To find a summer meal distribution site near you, click here: 2026 Free Summer Meals Sites.
SUN Bucks
SUN Bucks are similar to SNAP — SUN Bucks recipients receive $120 per week per child to spend at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other stores.
Eligibility is based on participation in public assistance programs like SNAP, TANF, or free school meals.
Families can also qualify based on household income.
There is no citizenship requirement, and SUN Bucks is not considered for public charge determinations.
Most eligible families will be automatically enrolled and do not need to submit a SUN Bucks application.
Fresh Bucks
Fresh Bucks are a great way to access healthy options.
Applicable to fresh fruits and vegetables only.
Recipients can access $60 a month to spend at participating supermarkets and farmers markets — conveniently available as a card or an app.
Eligibility is determined by income and household size. You must live in Seattle.
Find Your Local Food Bank
Your local food bank has your back — find one near you here: Find a Food Bank | Seattle Food Committee
Summer Volunteering Opportunities in King County
If you volunteer with us and would like an opportunity this summer, we recommend reaching out to volunteer@backpackbrigade.org and sharing ways you'd like to contribute behind the scenes. If you want to find a hands-on opportunity, reach out to our friends at your local food bank. We are proud to be a part of the WA Food Coalition, a network of incredible leaders pulling together resources to end hunger in our communities for good.
Hunger doesn't take the summer off — and neither do the people who show up for kids across King County. Share this post with someone who might need it, and if you'd like to be part of the solution year-round, we'd love to have you.
Backpack Brigade's Summer Plans
Backpack Brigade sends backpacks of shelf-stable food home with food-insecure students every Thursday during the school year. When summer arrives and distribution through schools pauses, we turn our energy toward building new partnerships, strengthening our operations, and tackling major warehouse projects — so we're ready to show up even stronger when the school year begins.
Comments