Summer Hunger Solutions: What Do They Eat When School Is Out?
- Backpack Brigade
- Jun 25
- 2 min read
Is there a season as defined by food as summer? Popsicles, watermelon, hot dogs, and lemonade – the stuff of many happy, sticky, delicious summer memories. But for 41,000 kids in Washington State, the summer months are often the hungriest months. Every week of the school year, from September to June, thousands of homeless and food insecure kids rely on free and reduced school meal programs – supplemented by Backpack Brigade’s weekend hunger bags – to have enough to eat. However, during the summer months, when schools are on break, these reliable food sources disappear. What do the kids eat during the summer months?
Happily, there are a number of resources providing summer meals so that kids don’t have to face hunger during the school breaks. Though it’s not as easy for them to access this food as it is during the school year, it’s possible to have at least two free meals a day.
Summer meals are distributed at convenient community locations, including schools, parks, community centers, and faith-based organizations. Kids under 18 can drop by to either sit and eat a meal or pick up a grab-and-go meal. Some sites additionally 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:
In addition to free meal sites, families with kids who are eligible for free and reduced lunch programs can qualify for SUN Bucks, a federal program that provides an additional $120 per summer to help offset the cost of groceries. The money is loaded onto debit-style cards and can be used at participating grocery stores, farmers markets, and online. To determine your child’s eligibility and begin the application process, visit:
Finally, qualifying families can get on the waitlist for Fresh Bucks, another summer food assistance program that makes fresh fruits and vegetables more affordable. Families enrolled in the program receive $40 per month to purchase produce at participating farmers markets, fruit stands, supermarkets, or independent grocers. To apply for the waitlist this year, visit:
Bookmark this page and make sure to pass it on to families in your area who might be in need of some help this summer. Thanks to SUN Bucks, Free Summer Meals, and Fresh Bucks, no child in Washington has to face a hungry summer.
Backpack Brigade is closed for the summer months. We’ll be back in September, serving over 5,000 kids per week with our weekend hunger bags. To learn more about how to support Backpack Brigade’s mission to END weekend hunger this coming school year, visit:
And to support a specific school in your community, consider adopting a school.
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