Texas Districts and Food Banks Unite to Combat Childhood Hunger with Free Summer Meals

Across Texas, school districts and food banks are stepping up to ensure children don’t go hungry this summer, offering no-cost breakfast and lunch through federally funded programs.

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Summer Meal Program Highlights by City:

• Arlington ISD
  From June 2 to August 5, Arlington ISD will serve free lunches Monday through Friday (excluding June 19 and July 4) at these locations and times:

  • George W. Hawkes Downtown Library, 100 S. Center St.: 11:30 a.m.–12 p.m.

  • East Library & Rec Center, 1817 New York Ave.: 12:30–1 p.m.
    Meals are available to children aged 18 and under and students with disabilities up to 21. No registration is needed; meals must be eaten on site. 

• Houston ISD
  Starting June 11 through July 18, HISD offers free weekday breakfast and lunch at 65 campuses hosting summer school. No ID or registration is required, though service pauses on June 19 and July 3–4. Participation last year reached 27,000 students. 

• Dallas ISD
  Launching June 12 at the West Dallas Multipurpose Center, Dallas ISD and United Way are providing free meals during a kickoff event. Daily meals are available for children 18 and under, including those with disabilities, from June through August.

• Austin ISD
  AFSF-funded by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), AISD provides free breakfast and lunch at various school campuses throughout the summer. Meals are available to any child under 19, regardless of income or enrollment. 

• San Antonio
  Though not run by ISD, San Antonio Food Bank’s Restaurant Weeks (June 12–21) contributes $1 per specialty dish sold to its “Summer Meals for Kids” program, serving free meals at libraries and community centers through August 8. 

• South Texas
  The South Texas Food Bank will host its SFSP at Scratch Kitchen sites from June 2 to August 12, backed by state funding and donations to feed children reliant on school meals. 

• Midland
  Midland ISD and partners will provide free meals at nine sites through June 25. Additionally, restaurants and food banks will continue service through July.

Summer Meals: Why They Matter

Across Texas, hunger affects families year-round. According to TDA, more than 1 in 5 children face food insecurity in the state, and summer puts them at increased risk due to the loss of school lunches. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) are designed to close that gap, offering nutritious breakfasts and lunches at no cost—with no ID or income verification required.