Lexington, Ky. – As summer begins, many children in Central and Eastern Kentucky lose access to the free meals they receive at school. To help, God’s Pantry Food Bank has opened 30 Summer Feeding sites. These sites are located in libraries, churches, apartments, and community centers.
These summer programs provide free meals and snacks for all kids and teens under 18. This ensures that no child has to go hungry during the summer break. Beyond meals, children can also engage in fun activities that nurture learning and creativity.
“Our summer meal sites are safe spaces where kids can eat, play, and grow,” said Michael Halligan, CEO of God’s Pantry Food Bank. “With help from community partners and volunteers, we aim to providechildren across Central and Eastern Kentucky with the nutrition they need.”
God’s Pantry also highlights other food resources available this summer:
Kentucky Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (SEBT)
This program helps families by providing food benefits to those who qualify:
- Eligible children (ages 6–18 as of August 1, 2024) automatically receive benefits if they’ve been part of SNAP, KTAP, or Kinship Care since July 1, 2024.
- Families that don’t qualify automatically can apply online to check their eligibility for Summer 2025.
SUN Meals
Funded by the USDA, SUN Meals are available for free to kids under 18 at schools, parks, and local spots. No application is needed. For rural areas, To-Go options are also available.
Food insecurity in Kentucky remains a serious concern. Recent statistics show that 1 in 6 people statewide and 1 in 5 in Central and Eastern Kentucky face hunger. God’s Pantry supports over 500 food pantries and meal programs to combat this issue. Their goal is simple: to nourish every Kentuckian.
To learn more about the programs and how to support the community, visit www.godspantry.org.