On a normal school day, 7,000 DC schoolchildren count on DC Central Kitchen for a healthy, delicious meal at school. But the school year has wrapped up and many cafeterias are closed until the end of summer. Continuing to nourish children throughout the summer takes a complex, creative approach involving open cafeterias, youth programs, camps, and sports programs—and that’s exactly what DC Central Kitchen is launching, thanks to your support.
This summer, we’re planning to serve a record 130,000 high-quality, scratch-cooked meals to students on break throughout Washington, DC. Of the 24 DC Public Schools where we serve meals during the school year, 16 will operate as free drop-in meal sites all summer long. (Please see and share the list of those schools and operating hours here). We’ll also deliver healthy meals and snacks to more than 30 additional youth programs at set schedules.
One of the programs receiving our summer meals is Little Lights Urban Ministries. 2026 marks our ninth year as partners. When asked about the role we play in their summer program, Program Director Karmen Taylor told us, “DC Central Kitchen allows us to provide great, nutritious meals to our students during camp. Our parents have peace of mind knowing their students will receive a great lunch and snack during camp. The food is great and the fruit is especially beautiful and a big hit! Without the partnership with DCCK, it would be extremely difficult for us to serve necessary meals and snacks to our students.”
These meals have never been more necessary, as hunger is rising in the District. 40% of DC residents are reporting food insecurity, and unemployment is up 41% in our city since December 2024. Nearly 14% of households with children in the District struggle to afford food, and already strained food benefits simply aren’t going as far. That’s why we’re also proud to partner with the DC SUN Bucks initiative. SUN Bucks provides $120 of grocery benefits to families who normally count on school meal programs, and our Healthy Corners program empowers these shoppers to redeem these valuable benefits for healthy, affordable produce at our partner corner stores in neighborhoods where nutritious options are hard to find.
“As budgets and funding have decreased citywide, and food costs have risen, it is imperative to provide as many nutritious meals as possible to assist children, families, and the providers of the summer programs,” says longtime DC Central Kitchen Community Meals Manager Crystal Nicholas, who has coordinated our summer meals services for two decades.
From cafeterias to camps to corner stores, Crystal and her colleagues at DC Central Kitchen are taking on summer hunger from every angle—and there’s still time to donate and ensure we can serve a record number of healthy meals to DC kids this summer. Join us!