Free summer meals, new food program available for kids in Fargo-Moorhead metro – InForum

FARGO — Families in the Fargo-Moorhead metro area have options to make sure their kids don’t go hungry this summer.

Local school districts and nonprofits provide free meals to children at numerous locations in Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead and Dilworth.

In addition, the state of North Dakota is offering a new benefit program for families of eligible children to purchase food while school is closed.

Cindy Hogenson, director of nutrition services at Fargo Public Schools, said that while there are more opportunities for free meals, some children can’t get to the spots because of a lack of transportation or because the hours are limited.

“This is another financial support for feeding children during the summer months,” Hogenson said of the new state program.

The Summer Benefits Electronic Transfer Program, or SUN Bucks, is for North Dakota households with school-age children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.

Each eligible child can receive a one-time $120 SUN Bucks Benefit Card to purchase groceries.

Households already enrolled in certain assistance programs will be automatically enrolled in the summer EBT program, according to the state’s website. Other households not enrolled in assistance programs may still be eligible and can apply online at ndsummerebt.nd.gov.

Most free dining sites require the food to be eaten on site. Children 18 years of age or younger are eligible, as are young adults with disabilities up to 21 years of age.

The meals served are nutritionally balanced, Hogenson said.

A popular breakfast item at the Fargo sites are the school district’s homemade whole grain chocolate chip muffins, she said.

Fruit, vegetables and milk are available. For hot meals, breaded chicken strips and fries or baked potatoes, pizza and hamburgers are favorite summer options, she said.

Below is a list of free subway meal sites for summer 2024:

Fargo Public Schools – June:

• South High School, 1840 15th Ave. Sat., June 4-July 25, Monday through Thursday, breakfast 7:30 a.m.-8:15 a.m., lunch 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Ben Franklin Middle School, 1420 Eighth St. N., June 4-28, Monday through Friday, breakfast 7:45 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
• North High School, 801 17th Ave. N., June 10-28, Monday through Friday, breakfast 7:45 – 8:30 am
• Carl Ben Eielson Middle School, 1601 13th Ave. Sat., June 4-27, Monday through Thursday, breakfast 7:45 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
• Dakota High School, 1305 Ninth Ave. Sat., June 4-27, Monday through Thursday, breakfast 7:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m., lunch 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Fargo Public Schools – July (most sites closed July 4th):

• Lincoln Elementary, 2120 Ninth St. Sat., July 8-26, Mon-Fri, Breakfast 7:30 – 8:30 am
• Roosevelt Elementary, 1026 10th St. N., July 8-26, Monday through Friday, breakfast 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
• McKinley Elementary, 2930 Eighth St. N., July 8-26, Monday through Friday, breakfast 7:30-8:30 am
• Washington Elementary, 1725 Broadway N., July 8-26, Monday through Friday, breakfast 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
• Lewis & Clark Elementary, 1729 16th St. Sat., July 8-26, Mon-Fri, Breakfast 7:30-8:30 am
• Ed Clapp Elementary, 3131 28th St. Sat., July 8-26, Mon-Fri, Breakfast 7:30-8:30 am

The Great Plains Food Bank has a free meal site in Fargo at the Arbors at McCormick Park, 622 23rd St. S., Fargo, June 3-Aug. 16, Monday to Friday, lunch from 12:30 to 13:00

Information about other North Dakota Great Plains Food Bank meal sites can be found at greatplainsfoodbank.org.

YMCA by Cass Clay:

• Jefferson Elementary, 1701 4th Ave. S., Fargo, June 3-August 27, Monday through Friday, breakfast 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., lunch 11 a.m. to noon.
• Independence Elementary, 3700 54th St. S., Fargo, May 28-Aug. 20, Mon.-Fri., breakfast 7:30-8:30 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Mobile Food Drive Golden Valley Park, 6973 Golden Valley Parkway S., Fargo, June 10-August 16, Monday through Friday, noon to 12:30 p.m.
• Brunsdale Park Mobile Feeding Facility, 1702 27th Ave. S., Fargo, June 10-August 16, Monday through Friday, noon to 11:30 a.m.
• Madison YMCA Child Care Services, 1040 29th St. N., Fargo, June 3-August 27, Monday through Friday, breakfast 7:30-8:30 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Schlossman Family YMCA West, school age, 4243 19th Ave. S., Fargo, May 27-August 27, Monday through Friday, breakfast 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

West Fargo Public Schools:

• LE Berger, 631 4th Ave. E., West Fargo, May 28-June 20, Monday through Thursday, breakfast 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.
• Eastwood Elementary, 500 10th Ave. E., West Fargo, May 28-June 20, Monday through Thursday, breakfast 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.
• Willow Park Elementary, 4901 15th Ave. S., Fargo, May 28-June 20, Monday through Thursday, breakfast 7:30-8:00 a.m., lunch 11-11:30 a.m.
• West Fargo High School, 801 Ninth St. E., West Fargo, June 3-June 28, Monday through Friday, breakfast 7:30-8:00 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
• South Elementary, 117 Sixth Ave. W., West Fargo, May 28-June 20, Monday through Thursday, breakfast 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Moorhead Area Public Schools (all sites closed June 19 and week of July 1):

• SG Reinertsen Elementary, 1201 40th Ave. S., May 28-Aug. 16, Monday to Friday, breakfast 7:45 – 8:15, lunch 11:30 – 12:30
• Queens Park, 3201 20th St. S., May 29-Aug. 16, Tuesday to Friday, lunch from 11 to 11:30
• Moorhead High School Career Academy, 2800 27th Ave. S., June 10-Aug. 1, Monday through Thursday, breakfast 8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m., lunch 12:30 p.m. – 1 p.m. Also closed the week of July 8.
• Arrowhead Park, 2600 Sixth Ave. N., May 29-Aug. 16, Tuesday to Friday, lunch between 12:20 and 12:40
• Robert Asp Elementary, 910 N. 11th St., May 28-Aug. 16, Monday to Friday, breakfast 7:45 – 8:15, lunch 11:30 – 12:30
• Romkey Park, 900 19th St. S., May 29-Aug. 16, Tuesday to Friday, lunch from 11:40 a.m. to 12:10 p.m
• Ellen Hopkins Elementary, 2020 11th St. Sat., May 28-August 16, Monday through Friday, breakfast 7:45 a.m. – 8:15 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Probstfield Elementary, 2410 14th St. S., May 28-Aug. 16, Monday to Friday, breakfast 7:45 – 8:15, lunch 11:30 – 12:30

• Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Elementary, 108 Main Ave. N., Dilworth, May 28-Aug. 30, Monday to Friday, breakfast 7:45 – 8:45, lunch 11:15 – 12:15 Closed June 19 and July 4-5.

For more location and schedule information, visit the USDA’s Meals for Kids Finder website.

Huebner is a veteran of more than 35 years in broadcast and print journalism in Fargo-Moorhead.