When schools close their doors for the season, access to consistent, nutritious food should never take a vacation. Fortunately, the Indiana Department of Education is tackling food insecurity head-on by funding the 2026 Summer Food Service Program. This vital federal initiative ensures that Hoosier youth have access to healthy breakfast and lunch options entirely free of charge.

Providing free summer meals in Indianapolis is a crucial cornerstone of community wellness. It directly supports working families, keeps our neighborhoods nourished, and ensures that every child can grow, play, and thrive without facing hunger during the summer gap.

The Ground Rules

The program is straightforward and designed to eliminate barriers for local families:

• Who Qualifies: All children and teenagers aged 18 or younger.
• No Requirements: There is absolutely no registration, paperwork, documentation, or proof of income needed. Children simply show up, give their name, and eat.

Accurate Indianapolis Serving Sites

Local organizations are hosting distribution hubs all over Naptown. Please note that stationary sites operate Monday through Friday, but they will be closed on June 19 and July 3.

Fixed IPS School Sites (Breakfast: 9:30 AM – 9:45 AM | Lunch: 12:40 PM – 1:00 PM)

• Theodore Potter School 74: 1601 East 10th St.
• Carl Wilde School 79: 5002 West 34th St.
• Merle Sidener Academy: 2424 Kessler Blvd. East Dr.
• Note: Anna Brochhausen School 88 (5801 E. 16th St.) serves breakfast at 9:30 AM and lunch early from 11:40 AM to 12:00 PM.

IPS Mobile Meal Trucks (June 8 – July 24)

• Martin Luther King Community Center (40 W. 40th St.): Breakfast from 8:30 AM to 8:45 AM; Lunch from 11:30 AM to 11:50 AM.
• Stratford Apartments Leasing Office (3201 Watergate Rd.): Lunch from 12:20 PM to 12:40 PM.
• Haughville Library Branch (2121 W. Michigan St.): Lunch from 1:10 PM to 1:30 PM.

Indy Parks & Community Locations (Food served while supplies last)

• Watkins Park (2360 Martin Luther King St.): Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11:00 AM.
• Frederick Douglass Park (1616 E. 25th St.): Monday through Friday at 3:30 PM.
• Christian Park Family Center (4200 English Ave.): Monday through Friday from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
• Pride Park (1129 Vandeman St.): Monday through Friday from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM; Saturday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

To track down additional options for free summer meals in Indianapolis, families can text “Summer Meals” to 914-342-7744 or call the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY.