GIPS Free Summer Meals Program Kicks-Off Monday, June 2nd

Listen to an interview with Oscar Garcia below.

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 2, 2025 at five district locations. Continuing food support throughout the summer months aims to help alleviate food insecurity and ensure children have access to nutritious meals throughout their time out of school.

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 2nd - July 18th
Howard Elementary - June 2nd - July 18th
Starr Elementary - June 2nd - July 18th
Shoemaker Elementary - June 2nd - June 27th
Grand Island Senior High - June 2nd - June 27th

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.  Shoemaker will run until 12:00 p.m. and Starr will run 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in June.

Please note:  No meals will be served on July 3rd & 4th 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.  

“We are incredibly excited to once again bring the summer meal program to our community!” Garcia said. “Providing healthy and delicious meals is a vital way we support children and families throughout the summer months, and we can't wait to see everyone.”

To make the free summer meals even more exciting, the GIPS Nutrition Services Department will be holding a big prize raffle at each site. This is made possible through redeemed points earned through partnerships with some of the district’s food supply vendors.  During prize days at the specific location, each student who enjoys a free meal will also receive a free raffle ticket to be placed in the drawing for the prize.  Prizes include bikes, scooters, and more.  Thanks to rewards programs with our food supply partners, all raffle prizes were obtained at no additional cost to GIPS! 

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.