News Summary
The Beaufort County School District has introduced a free summer meal program for children under 18 and individuals with disabilities, funded by a $20,500 grant from No Kid Hungry. Running from June 2 to July 31, 2025, the program aims to ensure access to nutritious meals at various locations across the county. Parents will be responsible for meal pickups, supporting community needs and addressing food insecurity during the summer months.
Beaufort, SC – The Beaufort County School District has announced a free summer meal program funded by a $20,500 grant from No Kid Hungry. This initiative aims to provide nutritious meals to children under the age of 18, as well as to individuals over 18 with mental or physical disabilities. The program is set to run from June 2 through July 31, 2025, at multiple locations across the county.
Free meals will be available at various sites throughout Beaufort County, ensuring that children have access to healthy food options during the summer months, when school is not in session. Meal services will operate at beaches and public libraries, which will be closed for holidays on June 19 and July 4. Key program sites include:
- Grab and Go at Robert Smalls Leadership Academy (June 9 to July 31)
- Beaufort County Libraries (June 2 to July 31)
- Beaufort County Parks & Recreation (June 2 to July 30)
- Boys and Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry – Bluffton Club (June 9 to July 25)
- Broad River Club hosted at Robert Smalls Leadership Academy (June 9 to July 17)
- The Batten Family Unit (Hilton Head Club) (June 16 to July 25)
- Shanklin Elementary Club hosted at Whale Branch Elementary School (June 9 to July 3)
- Whale Branch Elementary Club (June 9 to July 24)
- Whale Branch Middle Club (June 9 to July 24)
- Beaufort-Jasper YMCA at Coosa Elementary School (June 9 to July 24)
- Beaufort-Jasper YMCA at Robert Smalls Leadership Academy (June 9 to July 24)
- Beaufort-Jasper YMCA – Port Royal (June 4 to July 31)
- YMCA Migrant Education Program (June 9 to July 3)
- Wright Directions (June 9 to July 24)
- Neighborhood Outreach Center: Bluffton Community Soup Kitchen (June 10 to July 10)
- Church of the Harvest Apostolic (June 23 to July 17)
- Mount Carmel Baptist Church (June 30 to July 24)
During the summer meal program, breakfast and lunch will be offered to students enrolled in various summer activities, such as the Summer Reading Program, which runs from June 9 to June 28, the Summer School Program from June 9 to June 28, and the Sea Island School for the Arts (SISA) from June 9 to June 13. Additionally, breakfast and lunch will be available for students participating in athletic summer programs and the AFJROTC Summer Camp from June 2 to June 6.
This year’s $20,500 grant from No Kid Hungry will support the summer meal program, allowing the school district to enhance its services, including the addition of an extra vehicle for meal delivery. Last summer, the School Nutrition department served an impressive total of 38,500 meals over an eight-week period, reflecting the demand for nutritious meals during the off-school season.
Meals must be picked up by parents, legal guardians, or caregivers, ensuring that children have transportation to access food. The program not only addresses nutritional needs but also supports families in the community, helping to alleviate food insecurity during the summer months.
Through this initiative, Beaufort County School District aims to ensure that all children have access to healthy meals while promoting the importance of nutrition and well-being, significantly impacting the lives of families in the area. As summer approaches, the district is preparing to meet the needs of its community, reinforcing its commitment to addressing food insecurity and enhancing the quality of life for residents.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Bluffton Community Soup Kitchen Launches Fundraiser to Combat Growing Food Insecurity
Bluffton Community Soup Kitchen Launches Fundraiser to Support Local Services
Additional Resources
- WJCL: Beaufort County School to Provide Free Meals for Kids This Summer
- Wikipedia: Food Insecurity in the United States
- Island Packet: Beaufort County School Initiative
- Google Search: Summer Meal Program
- Your Island News: Free Lunch and Breakfast for All Students
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Nutrition
- WJCL: New Program for Free Meals at Beaufort County School District
- Google News: Beaufort County School Meal Program
