Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch? Program provides food for thousands of students

SEATTLE -- Local families struggling to provide lunch for their kids while school is out will soon have a way to make sure they get healthy meals.

Today, the Seattle Human Services Department kicked off its Summer Food Service program to make sure kids get a full square during the day.

Starting next week the program, formally known as Summer Sack Lunch, will provide free lunch to kids and teens, ages 1 to 18 at a number of schools across Western Washington.

Last summer, lunches were served at almost 800 sites across the state, feeding more than 41,000 kids per day.

The program is funded by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.

The City of Seattle program started in the early 1970s. The 2013 program will run from Monday, June 24-Friday, August 23.

Help spread the word.  Families can find their closest meal site when they:


    Pierce County students can take advantage of a similar program, according to the Bellingham Herald.

    For more information, or for help finding a summer meal site near you, visit parenthelp123.org or call the Family Food Hotline at 1-888-436-6392 (1-888-4FOODWA).

    METROPOLITAN PARKS, TACOMA

    Lunch only, June 17 – August 16


      CLOVER PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT, LAKEWOOD



      Lunch only, July 15 – August 7 (except Clover Park High School)


        TACOMA SCHOOL DISTRICT

        Breakfast and lunch, Monday-Thursday




          July 1 – July 31


            SUMNER SCHOOL DISTRICT

            Lunch only, June 26 – August 23


              PENINSULA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

              Lunch only, June 24 – August 16 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)


                ORTING FOOD BANK INC.

                Lunch only, June 24 – August 30


                  THE EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE UPWARD BOUND

                  Snack only, June 24 – July 25


                    ALTHEIMER MEMORIAL CHURCH

                    Breakfast and lunch, June 24 – August 30


                      BETHEL SCHOOL DISTRICT

                      Lunch only, June 24- August 16


                        FRANKLIN PIERCE SCHOOL DISTRICT, TACOMA

                        Lunch only, June 24 – August 9


                          HOUSE OF PRAYER FOUNDATION, TACOMA

                          Breakfast and lunch, June 17 – August 30 (Open Sunday)


                            YMCA OF PIERCE AND KITSAP COUNTIES

                            Lunch and snack, June 24 – August 30




                              THE FOOD CONNECTION (ST. LEO)

                              Lunch and snack

                              Tacoma Locations: June 17 – August 30 (except Coventry Court Apartments)


                                Lakewood Locations: June 20 – August 30 (except Green Firs Apartments)


                                  WHITE RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICTLunch and snack, June 17 – August 30