When school lets out at the end of May, most kids are jumping for joy and can’t wait for weeks on end of sleeping late, trips to swimming pools, vacations, camps, and more.  But for a lot of kids in our community, being on break from school means missing out on the availability of a reliable lunch Monday through Friday.  The Cumberland County School Child Nutrition department is on a mission to fill that gap for most of the summer for as many kids as possible.

From June 1 through July 31, Child Nutrition Services provides free lunches to kids 18 and younger at locations throughout Cumberland County.  There is no income requirement to receive these free meals.  They are offered on a first-come, first-served basis; no registration required.  Children must be present to receive a meal, and the meals must be eaten on site.

These meals provide kids with important nutrients needed to support growing bodies, but are still fun foods that kids want to eat.  Each meal includes vegetables, fruit, and cold milk.  A complete menu of what meals are served on which days throughout June and July can be found on the Child Nutrition Services website.

Meals are available at the following locations:

• Cliffdale Rec Center @ 6404 Cliffdale Rd., Fayetteville

• College Lakes Elementary @ 4963 Rosehill Rd., Fayetteville

• Hope Mills Municipal Park @ 5766 Rockfish Rd., Hope Mills

• Kiwanis Rec Center @ 352 Devers St, Fayetteville

• Lake Rim Elementary @ 1455 Hoke Loop Rd., Fayetteville

• Massey Hill Rec Center @ 1612 Camden Rd., Fayetteville

• Mendoza Park @ 1774 Little River Rd., Spring Lake

• Roy Turner Park @ 4623 Blanton Rd., Fayetteville

• Smith Rec Center @ 1520 Slater Ave, Fayetteville

• Spring Lake Library @ 101 Laketree Blvd., Spring Lake

• Spring Lake Rec Center @ 245 Ruth St, Spring Lake

• Sunnyside Elementary @ 3876 Sunnyside School Rd., Fayetteville

• Walker Spivey Elementary @ 500 Fisher St, Fayetteville

• Westover Rec Center @ 267 Bonanza Dr., Fayetteville

Meal distribution times do vary at different locations, but are all between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.  For specific pick-up times at the location nearest you, check the Child Nutrition Services website at www.ccs.k12.nc.us/page/child-nutrition-services.

In addition to locations and meal times, you will also find additional information about each location.  Many meal locations are at schools and recreation centers that also have activities for kids and families to enjoy while they are getting their lunches, such as playgrounds, splash pads, and gymnasiums.  Not all locations have additional amenities, so be sure to check out the website for details.

While summer should be a time of rest and fun for school-aged kids, it’s hard to enjoy the free time when you are hungry.  And the reality for many families is that they depend on meals provided at school to fill gaps in what is available at home, from August through May.  Cumberland County Schools wants to make sure to continue to fill those gaps, even when the classrooms are empty. This is why each summer, the Child Nutrition Services works hard to get meals distributed to kids who need them, all around Cumberland County.  For additional information, check https://www.ccs.k12.nc.us/page/child-nutrition-services or call 910-678-2502.

When school lets out at the end of May, most kids are jumping for joy and can’t wait for weeks on end of sleeping late, trips to swimming pools, vacations, camps, and more.  But for a lot of kids in our community, being on break from school means missing out on the availability of a reliable lunch Monday through Friday.  The Cumberland County School Child Nutrition department is on a mission to fill that gap for most of the summer for as many kids as possible.

From June 1 through July 31, Child Nutrition Services provides free lunches to kids 18 and younger at locations throughout Cumberland County.  There is no income requirement to receive these free meals.  They are offered on a first-come, first-served basis; no registration required.  Children must be present to receive a meal, and the meals must be eaten on site.

These meals provide kids with important nutrients needed to support growing bodies, but are still fun foods that kids want to eat.  Each meal includes vegetables, fruit, and cold milk.  A complete menu of what meals are served on which days throughout June and July can be found on the Child Nutrition Services website.

Meals are available at the following locations:

• Cliffdale Rec Center @ 6404 Cliffdale Rd., Fayetteville

• College Lakes Elementary @ 4963 Rosehill Rd., Fayetteville

• Hope Mills Municipal Park @ 5766 Rockfish Rd., Hope Mills

• Kiwanis Rec Center @ 352 Devers St, Fayetteville

• Lake Rim Elementary @ 1455 Hoke Loop Rd., Fayetteville

• Massey Hill Rec Center @ 1612 Camden Rd., Fayetteville

• Mendoza Park @ 1774 Little River Rd., Spring Lake

• Roy Turner Park @ 4623 Blanton Rd., Fayetteville

• Smith Rec Center @ 1520 Slater Ave, Fayetteville

• Spring Lake Library @ 101 Laketree Blvd., Spring Lake

• Spring Lake Rec Center @ 245 Ruth St, Spring Lake

• Sunnyside Elementary @ 3876 Sunnyside School Rd., Fayetteville

• Walker Spivey Elementary @ 500 Fisher St, Fayetteville

• Westover Rec Center @ 267 Bonanza Dr., Fayetteville

Meal distribution times do vary at different locations, but are all between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.  For specific pick-up times at the location nearest you, check the Child Nutrition Services website at www.ccs.k12.nc.us/page/child-nutrition-services.

In addition to locations and meal times, you will also find additional information about each location.  Many meal locations are at schools and recreation centers that also have activities for kids and families to enjoy while they are getting their lunches, such as playgrounds, splash pads, and gymnasiums.  Not all locations have additional amenities, so be sure to check out the website for details.

While summer should be a time of rest and fun for school-aged kids, it’s hard to enjoy the free time when you are hungry.  And the reality for many families is that they depend on meals provided at school to fill gaps in what is available at home, from August through May.  Cumberland County Schools wants to make sure to continue to fill those gaps, even when the classrooms are empty. This is why each summer, the Child Nutrition Services works hard to get meals distributed to kids who need them, all around Cumberland County.  For additional information, check https://www.ccs.k12.nc.us/page/child-nutrition-services or call 910-678-2502.