KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI/WVLT) — As the school year wraps up, several East Tennessee school systems and community organizations are stepping in to make sure children have access to food throughout the summer months.
Multiple programs are now underway, offering free meals to anyone 18 and under with no income requirements or school enrollment needed.
Where to get free meals:
Anderson County Schools Anderson County Schools will distribute seven-day meal packs every Friday in June from 10 a.m. to noon. Each pack includes seven breakfasts and seven lunches. Pickup locations include Andersonville Elementary, Grand Oaks Elementary and Lake City Middle School. Children do not need to be present for pickup.
Blount County Schools The Blount County Schools Family Resource Center is serving free breakfast and lunch Monday through Thursday through June 18. Breakfast is available from 7 to 8:30 a.m., and lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meals are offered at numerous elementary, middle and high schools across the county, including Eagleton, Mary Blount, Heritage and William Blount Academy campuses.
Cumberland County Schools Cumberland County Schools will provide free meals at multiple locations from May 28 through August 4. A full schedule of pickup sites and times is available through the district.
Loudon County Schools Loudon County Schools is offering on-site meals at Loudon High School Monday through Friday through June 26. Breakfast runs from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., and lunch is served from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
YMCA of East Tennessee The YMCA is offering weekly grab-and-go meal distributions with seven breakfasts and seven lunches at multiple locations, including Mt. Olive Elementary, Central Point Baptist Church, Big Ridge Elementary, Union County High School and East Knox Elementary. Families are asked to pre-register for one pickup site.
Officials say these programs are designed to help bridge the gap for families who rely on school meals during the academic year.
Additional resource Families can also use the USDA Summer Meal Site Finder online to locate nearby meal sites and check whether meals are served on-site or available to-go.
Organizers stress that all children are eligible and encourage families to take advantage of the free resources throughout the summer.
