Whoever said, “there’s no such thing as a free lunch” clearly hadn’t checked out the Shawnee Mission Summer Lunch Bunch!
Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) is proud to offer free lunch for any child ages 1-18 Monday through Friday from June 5- July 28.*
This United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funded program was established to bridge the gap between school years and keep kids fed.
“Hunger doesn’t take a time out,” said Grace Liss, SMSD’s Director of Food Services. “Kids are always hungry. So, we are here to help those kids who need food during the summer months.”
Each Lunch Bunch location offers a complete meal with meats, grains, fruits, vegetables and milk. Kids are not required to take all of the offerings, but they must have a certain number of meal components for it to be considered a meal and comply with the USDA standards.
Amilia Sindt is a Lunch Bunch regular who enjoys the selection of sides and that she doesn’t have to sign up to participate, “it’s nice to be able to come in and get a lunch for free and it will fill me up.”
Lunch Bunch is currently offered from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the following locations:
Comanche Elementary, 8200 Grant
Rosehill Elementary, 9801 Rosehill Road
Shawanoe Elementary, 11230 W. 75th Street
Westridge Middle School, 9300 Nieman Road
SM North High School , 7401 Johnson Drive
Children do not have to be SMSD students to enjoy a meal and their parent or guardian can purchase a meal for just $5.
“Come in and take advantage of this program!” said Liss. “That’s what we’re here for.”
*PLEASE NOTE: Lunch Bunch will NOT be offered on June 19, July 3, and July 4.