Mary Bridge Children’s provides free summer meals for kids

Family summertime traditions often include splash parks and backyard playdates, but some children face a critical unmet need when the school year ends: hunger.

As many as 13 million children in the United States face food insecurity, or lack of access to adequate food, reports No Kid Hungry.

“Many kids struggle to get their nutritional needs met in the summer months because they often lose access to free or reduced-priced meals at school,” says Erica Lewis, RD, health promotion program manager at the MultiCare Center for Health Equity & Wellness. “Mary Bridge Children’s aims to fill that nutritional gap with healthy food that kids enjoy.”

Since 2019, Mary Bridge Children’s — in partnership with the USDA Summer Food Service program — has provided free meals for kids during the summer.

This program returns on Monday, July 1.

How to get free summer meals

Free lunches are available for children under 18 from July 1-Aug. 30. Please note meals will not be available July 4-5 because of the Fourth of July observance.

Where to go

Meals are offered inside Mary Bridge Children’s Outpatient Center – Tacoma. Please note there is ongoing demolition and construction as we build our new pediatric hospital. We recommend viewing the updated map and parking information before heading to campus.

When to go

Meals are available Monday through Friday, 11am to 1pm, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Meals must be consumed on-site due to program requirements. Chairs will be set up inside the outpatient center for children to sit, relax and eat their meals.

“We eat first with our eyes, which means the presentation of food really matters,” says Lewis. “We put a lot of care into making meals that kids want to eat. In addition to offering a protein like turkey or peanut butter, the lunches will feature colorful sides of fruits and vegetables as well as milk.”

Find meals near you

New this year, free summer meals will also be offered at the Parkland/Spanaway branch of the Pierce County Library on Fridays from July 12-Aug. 30. Meals will be available between 11am-noon, and will be accompanied by library story hour.

If you can’t make it to Mary Bridge Children’s or the Parkland/Spanaway library, you can find other free summer meals in communities across the country through the same USDA program.

Find a site near you:

• United Way of King County Summer Meals Site Finder (can be used to find sites throughout the U.S.)
• USDA Summer Meals for Kids Site Finder
• Text the word “FOOD” TO 304-304

Sometimes families may hesitate to bring their kids for free summer lunches at Mary Bridge Children’s or other sites. Some may wonder if they are taking meals away from kids who may need them more. Others may feel they don’t qualify if they already receive other benefits, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

However, Lewis says all children are welcome to participate.

“Everybody needs good nutrition and deserves to enjoy their food,” she says. “Our doors are open to all children, regardless of their circumstances, and we have plenty of meals to offer.”

Learn more about nutrition

Please visit Mary Bridge Children’s Nutrition Services to learn more about our specialty nutrition clinics and referral-based services. If you’re in need of food and nutrition assistance, please visit Mary Bridge Children’s Women, Children and Infants (WIC) or call 253-403-1349.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in June 2023 and updated in June 2024.