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School's out, but free meals continue at nearly 40 Wichita locations

Anyone 18 or younger can get free meals over the summer at dozens of sites across the city.
Associated Press
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File photo
Anyone 18 or younger can get free meals over the summer at dozens of sites across the city.

The annual summer food program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture continues this year. Anyone 18 or younger can get a free breakfast or lunch at one of more than 600 sites across Kansas.

For children who depend on free breakfasts and lunches during the school year, summer can be a hungry time.

“The need doesn’t go away,” said Cheryl Johnson, director of nutrition services for the Kansas Department of Education. “It’s exciting to be able to ensure children have access to nutritious meals and snacks during the summer months.”

Beginning May 30, nearly 40 school cafeterias and other sites around Wichita will offer free breakfasts or lunches as part of the annual summer food service program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The program is open to all children ages 18 and under. No reservations are required, and there are no qualifying guidelines or paperwork to fill out. Just show up at any meal location at the designated time to get a free meal.

Because of a change in federal regulations, Wichita sites will no longer be allowed to offer grab-and-go meals. Children must be present to receive a meal, and all meals must be consumed onsite.

Across the state, more than 600 sites will serve free meals. Some rural areas are still allowed to offer grab-and-go meals or weekly meal packs that include breakfast and lunch.

Johnson said many sites also feature story times, games and other learning opportunities.

“So (children) not only get a nutritious meal, but they also have an enrichment activity and social time with other children," she said.

To find a meal site in your area, call 866-3-HUNGRY, or text “food” to 304304.

Here are this year’s Wichita locations. The program is offered weekdays unless otherwise noted. Some begin serving May 30 and others on June 5; check with the location for exact dates.

  • Adams Elementary, 1002 N. Oliver: breakfast, 8:30-9 a.m.; lunch, 12:30-1 p.m. Closed Fridays.
  • Anderson Elementary, 2945 S. Victoria: breakfast, 8:30-9 a.m.; lunch, noon-12:30 p.m. Closed Fridays.
  • Atwater Recreation Center, 2755 E. 19th St.: lunch, 11:25-11:55 a.m.
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas, 2400 N. Opportunity Dr.: breakfast, 8-8:30 a.m.; lunch, 12:30-1 p.m.
  • Black Elementary, 1045 N. High: breakfast, 8:45-9:15 a.m.; lunch, noon-12:30 p.m.
  • Boston Recreation Center, 6655 E. Zimmerly: lunch, noon-12:30 p.m.
  • Brewer Recreation Center, 1329 E. 16th St.: lunch, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
  • Buckner Elementary, 3530 E. 27th St. N.: breakfast, 8:15-8:45 a.m.; lunch 12:45-1:15 p.m. Closed Fridays.
  • Chisholm Trail Elementary, 6015 Independence St., Park City: breakfast, 9-9:30 a.m.; lunch, noon-12:45 p.m.
  • Cleaveland Elementary, 3345 W. 33rd St. S.: breakfast, 8:30-9 a.m.; lunch, 12:30-1 p.m. Closed Fridays.
  • Colvin Elementary, 2820 S. Roosevelt: lunch, 1-1:30 p.m.
  • Dodge Elementary, 4801 W. Second St. N.: breakfast, 9:15-9:45 a.m.; lunch 12:45-1:15 p.m.
  • Earhart Elementary, 4401 N. Arkansas Ave.: breakfast, 9-9:30 a.m.; lunch, noon-12:30 p.m.
  • Edgemoor Recreation Center, 5815 E. 9th St.: breakfast, 8:45-9:15 a.m.; lunch, 12:45-1:15 p.m.
  • Enders Elementary, 3030 S. Osage: breakfast, 9-9:30 a.m., lunch, 12:30-1 p.m.
  • Enterprise Elementary, 3605 S. Gold: breakfast, 9:15-9:45 a.m.; lunch, 12:45-1:15 p.m.
  • Evergreen Recreation Center, 2700 N. Woodland: lunch, noon-12:30 p.m.
  • Griffith Elementary, 1802 S. Bluff: breakfast, 9:15-9:45 a.m.; lunch 12:45-1:15 p.m.
  • Horace Mann Academy, 1243 N. Market: breakfast, 8:30-9 a.m.; lunch, 11:30 a.m.-noon
  • Hyde Elementary, 210 N. Oliver: breakfast, 8:45-9:15 a.m.; lunch, 12:30-1 p.m.
  • Isely Elementary, 5256 N. Woodlawn: breakfast, 9:5-9:45 a.m.; lunch 12:45-1:15 p.m.
  • Jackson Elementary, 2717 N. Woodlawn: breakfast, 9-9:30 a.m.; lunch, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
  • Kensler Elementary, 1030 N. Wilbur Lane: breakfast, 8:15-8:45 a.m.; lunch 12:45-1:15 p.m. Closed Fridays.
  • Linwood Recreation Center, 1901 S. Kansas: breakfast, 9-9:30 a.m.; lunch, 12:45-1:15 p.m.
  • McAuliffe Academy, 2055 S. 143rd St. E.: breakfast, 8:45-9:15 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
  • McCollom Elementary, 1201 N. Waddington: breakfast, 9-9:30 a.m.; lunch 12:30-1 p.m.
  • Minneha Elementary, 701 N. Webb: breakfast, 9:15-9:45 a.m.; lunch, 12:45-1:15 p.m.
  • OK Elementary, 1607 N. West: breakfast, 8:15-8:45 a.m.; lunch 12:45-1:15 p.m. Closed Fridays.
  • Orchard Recreation Center, 4808 W. 9th: breakfast, 8:30-9 a.m.; lunch, 12:30-1 p.m.
  • Peterson Elementary, 9710 W. Central: breakfast, 9:15-9:45 a.m.; lunch 12:30-1 p.m.
  • Price Harris Elementary, 706 N. Armour: breakfast, 9:15-9:45 a.m.; lunch 12:30-1 p.m.
  • Seltzer Elementary, 11660 E. Lincoln: breakfast, 8:15-8:45 a.m.; lunch, 12:45-1:15 p.m.
  • Spaght Elementary, 2316 E. 10th St. N.: breakfast, 8:15-8:45 a.m.; lunch, 12:45-1:15 p.m.
  • St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 1525 N. Lorraine: breakfast, 8-8:45 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
  • Stanley Elementary, 1749 S. Martinson: breakfast, 8:15-8:45 a.m.; lunch 12:45-1:15 p.m. Closed Fridays.
  • Washington Elementary, 424 N. Pennsylvania: breakfast, 8:15-8:45 a.m.; lunch, 12:30-1 p.m. Closed Fridays.
  • White Elementary, 5148 S. Kansas: breakfast, 8:30-9 a.m.; lunch, 12:45-1:15 p.m. Closed Fridays.
  • Woodland Elementary, 1705 N. Salina: breakfast, 8:30-9 a.m.; lunch, 12:30-1 p.m. Closed Fridays.
  • Woodman Elementary, 2500 S. Hiram: breakfast, 8:15-8:45 a.m.; lunch 12:45-1:15 p.m. Closed Fridays.
Suzanne Perez is a longtime journalist covering education and general news for KMUW and the Kansas News Service. Suzanne reviews new books for KMUW and is the co-host with Beth Golay of the Books & Whatnot podcast. Follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT.