June 25, 2025

Charleston County Launches Summer Meal Program for Kids

News Summary

The Charleston County School District has launched its third year of the free Summer Meal Program, providing nutritious meals for children and teens under 18. The program, running until July 31, offers grab-n-go meal bundles to combat food insecurity in the community. In its first week, the initiative saw strong participation with 549 meals requested. Additionally, libraries across the county are partnering to offer free snacks and meals. This effort aims to ensure that children have access to healthy food throughout the summer months.

Charleston, SC – The Charleston County School District (CCSD) has officially launched its third year of the free Summer Meal Program for children, aimed at addressing food insecurity in the community. This initiative provides families with easy access to nutritious meals during the summer months, continuing until July 31.

Families can register to receive grab-n-go style meal bundles that include breakfast and lunch items for the entire week. The program is available to any child or teen aged 18 and under residing within the district. This year, the program kicked off on June 2 and is expected to serve as a valuable resource for families during the school break.

In the first week of the program, a total of 549 meals were requested, indicating strong initial participation among families. The Summer Meal Program is particularly important for reaching areas in Charleston County that lack access to other nutrition services, providing much-needed assistance to those who may struggle with food security.

The meals are prepared at ten CCSD school kitchens and distributed from various sites including schools, community centers, camps, and churches. In addition to the summer meal program, nine libraries across Charleston County are collaborating with the Lowcountry Food Bank to offer free snacks and meals to students during the summer, operating Monday through Friday until July 25, except for the July 4 holiday.

Last summer, more than 184,000 no-cost meals were served across 130 sites, showcasing the program’s impact on the community. The initiative allows any child or teen to receive free meals without the need for individual approval, streamlining access for families in need.

Families wishing to participate in the Summer Meal Program can sign up online every Friday, with applications due by April 11. This approach ensures an organized and efficient process for those looking to benefit from the available meals.

Michelle Mustian, an officer for nutrition services, has emphasized that the program is more than just about providing meals; it fosters community engagement by meeting the unique needs of families unable to utilize traditional summer meal options, which typically require on-site dining.

The program’s design recognizes the ongoing challenge of food insecurity among students, with CCSD serving approximately 30 million qualifying students. As part of the broader effort to combat food insecurity, the collaboration between CCSD and the Lowcountry Food Bank plays a crucial role in expanding meal availability in the region.

The Summer Meals Program will run until July 25 at approved sites across Charleston County, excluding weekends and the July 4 holiday. This initiative continues the district’s commitment to ensure children have access to nutritious food during the summer months, supporting their health and wellbeing as they transition out of the school year.

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