From the very first moments of birth, babies ask to be fed. They literally cry to be fed. Once they reach the toddler stage the snacking is never-ending, and then school-aged kids seem to be bottomless pits. Commonly heard out of our kids’ mouths:
“I’m hungry.”
“What’s for supper?”
“There’s nothing to eat here.” (Even if there are options right in front of them.)
Sometimes in the summer months, the cries for food and snacks seem to be out of bordem more than anything. But without a doubt they do need nourishment – their little bodies are growing like weeds and I do believe there are some actual hunger cues set off.
Hunger shouldn’t be a struggle in the United States, but it is. In a country where we have so many large grocery stores, wholesale warehouses, buffets and bulk items galore, people – KIDS- go hungry every day.
“Summer is the hungriest time of year.” – No Kid Hungry
As a mom, I know your number one concern is that your child is nourished and growing and showing signs of thriving – no matter what age they are.
Three Reasons Why You Should Utilize Free Summer Feeding Programs
- Cut your grocery budget this summer – outsourcing a few meals a week will lighten the grocery bill for your family this summer.
2. These programs need to be used, or they are lost. Eat at the sites so they continue to exist in your neighborhood for the kids who do not have adequate food at home. Do not ever feel ashamed or embarrassed to eat at a summer meal program feeding site!
3. Eating at a summer feeding program site keeps kids connected to their school and maybe even to some of their friends. This is a great chance to build a sense of community in your neighborhood – you will meet other parents at these meals, and it may even open up doors for you to invite a neighbor in need to attend with you.
Here is where you can find free breakfast, lunch and snacks for hungry kids this summer in Duluth:
Duluth Public Schools Summer Breakfast and Lunch for Kids
June 20th-August 18th, 2023
- Myers-Wilkins Elementary, 1027 N 8th Avenue East
- Piedmont Elementary, 2827 Chambersburg Avenue
- Laura MacArthur Elementary, 720 North Central Avenue
- Denfeld High School, 401 N 44th Ave. W.
- Stowe Elementary, 715 – 101st Avenue West
- Lowell Elementary, 2000 Rice Lake Road
Breakfast is served from 7:30am-10:00am and Lunch is served from 11:00am-1pm daily. {Closed July 4th, 2023}
*The schools chosen to host a summer feeding site are based on the overall income level of the neighborhood it is in, but you are allowed to cross neighborhood lines and eat at other schools, meals must be eaten on site. The best way to stay up to date on any feeding changes or announcements is by following the Duluth Public Schools Facebook page.
Duluth YMCA Food Access Programs
Meals at the YMCA locations will be provided to all without charge. All meals are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Downtown Location -302 W 1st St
Meal Kits on Wednesdays from 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Hermantown Location – 4289 Ugstad Rd.
Meal Kits on Thursdays from 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Gary New Duluth Rec Center – 801 101st Ave W
Healthy Snacks Monday-Thursday at 2:15pm
Harbor Highlands Community Center – 29 W 11th St
Healthy Meals and Snacks Monday-Friday at 3:00pm & 5:00pm
Union Gospel Mission – 219 E. 1st St. Duluth
Project Joy Food Bags for youth – contact (218) 722-1196
Lunch: Monday-Friday 12:00pm-1:00PM
Dinner: Monday-Thursday 4:30pm-5:30PM
Drop-In Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:00am-5:30pm & Fridays 10:00am-1:00pm
Iron Range Area Free Meals
“Meet Up & Chow Down” summer feeding sites through the United Way of Northeastern MN
Lunch: Monday-Thursday Noon-1pm
June 5th-August 31st, 2023 (Closed July 3-7)
*Summer Buddy Backpacks are available to take home on Thursdays
- Biwabik – City Park
- Chisholm – Kiwanis Park
- Cook – Public Library
- Hibbing- Bennett Park HRA Playground
- Hoyt Lakes – Public Library
- Keewatin – City Park
- Mt. Iron – Public Library
- Nashwauk – Public Library
- Virginia-AEOA, HRA Park (Pine Mill Court), Olcott Park
If you live outside of the Duluth/Northland area and free meals for your kids would take a burden off of your back this summer, download the Free Meals for Kids app. This app is a MN based app updated by a MN foodbank. The app will tell you where you can find a meal near you, and there is a whole resources tab of where to find food.
