{"id":39531,"date":"2026-06-15T17:49:44","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T17:49:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stg-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/?p=39531"},"modified":"2026-06-22T21:50:43","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T21:50:43","slug":"free-summer-lunch-for-kids-returns-june-29","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stg-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/free-summer-lunch-for-kids-returns-june-29\/","title":{"rendered":"Free summer lunch for kids returns June 29","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

You can sit at our lunch table<\/h2>\n

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

As many as 14 million children in the United States face food insecurity<\/strong>, or lack of access to adequate food, reports\u00a0No Kid Hungry<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany 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,\u201d says Erica Lewis, RD, health promotion program manager at the\u00a0MultiCare Center for Health Equity & Wellness<\/a>. \u201cMary Bridge Children\u2019s aims to fill that nutritional gap with healthy food that kids enjoy.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Mary Bridge Children\u2019s<\/a> has served more than 62,000<\/strong> free meals for kids during the summer since 2019. The program is funded through the USDA Summer Food Service program<\/a> and made possible through support from the Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In 2025, 2,400<\/strong> meals were served and made possible by over 800<\/strong> hours of combined staff and volunteer support.<\/p>\n

Where and when to find free summer meals<\/h2>\n

Free lunches will be available for children 18 and under on a first-come, first-served basis. Lunches must be eaten on-site. Please note that the following dates and mealtimes are location-specific.<\/p>\n

Option #1<\/h3>\n

Mary Bridge Children\u2019s Outpatient Center \u2013 Tacoma<\/a>
\nFree lunch service<\/strong>: Weekdays from Monday, June 29, through Friday, Sept. 4
\nHours:<\/strong>\u00a011am-1pm<\/p>\n

Option #2<\/h3>\n

Parkland\/Spanaway Pierce County Library<\/a>
\nFree lunch service:<\/strong>\u00a0Fridays from July 10 through Aug. 28
\nHours<\/strong>: Noon-1pm
\nNote:\u00a0<\/strong>Story time will be available during lunch. Free books available while supplies last.<\/p>\n

Option #3<\/h3>\n

Fife Pierce County Library<\/a>
\nFree lunch service:<\/strong>\u00a0Tuesdays from July 7 through July 28
\nHours<\/strong>: Noon-1pm
\nNote:\u00a0<\/strong>Story time will be available during lunch. Free books available while supplies last.<\/p>\n

Getting there and enjoying lunch<\/h2>\n

If visiting the Tacoma location, please note that our campus has changed since last year. We recommend viewing the updated map and parking information before heading to campus<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At all sites, lunches must be eaten on-site due to program requirements. Seating will be available for children to relax and eat their meals.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe eat first with our eyes, which means the presentation of food really matters,\u201d says Lewis. \u201cWe 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. Every year we try new fun food combinations from participant feedback, so come see what tasty meals we are serving up in 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Find alternate summer meal sites<\/h2>\n

If you can\u2019t make it to Mary Bridge Children\u2019s Tacoma campus or local libraries, you can find other free summer meals in communities across the country:<\/p>\n