Free Summer Meals Returns to GIPS Starting, Monday
GRAND ISLAND (Neb.) — Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) is pleased to announce the return of its annual Free Summer Meals Program!
Free breakfast and lunch will be available to children ages 1 to 18 years old starting on Monday, June 1st, 2026 at five district Elementary schools plus breakfast services at Grand Island Senior High (GISH). Continuing food support throughout the summer months aims to help alleviate food insecurity by ensuring children have access to nutritious meals while school is out.
The Free Summer Meals Program provides free breakfast and free lunch to all children and teens aged 1 to 18, regardless of their enrollment in GIPS. No registration or identification is required, making it easy for families to access healthy meals. Adults may also purchase meals for $5.50 per meal.
Free Summer Breakfast and Lunch will be available at the following locations:
-Dodge Elementary - June 1st - July 17th
-Howard Elementary - June 1st - June 26th
-Shoemaker Elementary - June 1st - June 26th
-Starr Elementary - June 1st - July 17th
-West Lawn Elementary - June 1st - July 17th
-Grand Island Senior High - June 1st - June 27th (breakfast only)
Breakfast will be available in June on Mondays through Thursdays from 7:30 - 8:00 a.m. at all locations (Shoemaker will run until 8:15 a.m. in June).
Lunch will be available on Mondays through Fridays from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at most locations.
Please note: No meals will be served on July 3rd due to the holiday.
These sites meet the Federal program requirements for hosting and are strategically chosen to ensure families across Grand Island can easily access the free breakfasts and lunches. Oscar Garcia, GIPS Nutrition Services Director, noted the positive impact of the program.
“Summer can be a challenging time for families who rely on school meals during the academic year. Our goal is to ensure that every child in Grand Island continues to have access to nutritious meals while school is out of session.” Garcia said. “Beyond the meals themselves, these sites also provide students with an opportunity to stay connected to their community, interact with caring adults, and spend time with friends they may not otherwise see during the summer months. We encourage all families to take advantage of this free program and help us spread the word throughout the community.”
The Grand Island community is invited to stop by one of our sites for children to enjoy free meals this Summer. More information and our weekly meal menus may be found on the district website at: www.gips.org/summer.