Summer Meals
Summer is a critical time for children’s academic and physical well-being. During the summer, children are at a higher risk for both obesity and hunger. We’re committed to ensuring all children have access to nutritious meals all summer long. See below for current summer meals funding opportunities.
No Kid Hungry Missouri is currently offering other grant funding for efforts to feed Missouri’s kids. Learn more on our Grants and Opportunities page.
Feeding Missouri’s Children in Summer 2026
Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to organizations seeking to increase access to summer meals supported by the USDA’s SUN Program (SUN Meals), also known as the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), or the Seamless Summer Option (SSO). See eligibility requirements and priorities below.
Eligibility
Qualified applicants must:
- Be a school or nonprofit organization serving a low-income area;
- Plan to serve free meals to children by participating in SUN Meals or SSO in Summer 2026;
- Plan to serve SUN Meals or SSO meals and/or snacks during the summer out-of-school time (after summer school and the start of the fall term, generally from July 1 to mid-August). Service may begin earlier and/or continue after this time period;
- Be in good standing with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) or the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE);
- Be based in Missouri; and
- Complete and submit this application no later than noon CST on May 8, 2026
Project Priorities
No Kid Hungry Missouri prioritizes those grant applications from the lowest income areas of the state that are most likely to result in:
- A measurable, sustainable increase in meals served to low-income children;
- Increased food security for vulnerable communities in Missouri;
- New partnerships between community and public organizations that serve low-income communities;
- Summer food service in both July and August; and
- New applicants
This project prioritizes applications from organizations that have not been awarded No Kid Hungry Missouri grants in the past. Past awardees will be considered, however.
Apply Here
Key Dates:
Open Date: April 17, 2026
Pre-application webinar for Q&A: Wednesday, April 29, 2026 – Register Here
Close Date: May 8, 2026, noon CST