Howard County is partnering with several community organizations and the local school system to provide free food and meals for families during summer.
Howard County government is collaborating with the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS), Howard County Public Libraries, and several local organizations to provide free food and meals to community members in need throughout the summer. The County has provided $215,000 in its FY ’23 budget for the program.
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball commented on the program:
During the school year, many Howard County children take advantage of free or reduced-price meals to meet their needs, but when school is out in the summer, our families still need options. Our community has a tradition of stepping up during challenging times, and as inflation and supply change challenges increases the cost of groceries, the need is greater than ever. We are proud that there are many options to make sure families have the food they need this summer.
On Twitter, County Executive Ball noted the ongoing challenges with the supply chain and economy that have exacerbated the need for community-based food programs.
Free food and meals program details
HCPSS is operating its free summer meals program from June 27th – August 12th from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. this summer at six different locations around the county. Meals will be provided at no cost to HCPSS students, and any children aged 18 and under at the sites listed below.
There are no applications, enrollment, or fees to participate in this program.
- Laurel Woods Elementary School, 9250 N Laurel Rd., Laurel
- Oakland Mills Middle School, 9540 Kilimanjaro Rd., Columbia
- Swansfield Elementary School, 5610 Cedar Lane, Columbia
- Thomas Viaduct Middle School, 7000 Banbury Dr., Hanover
- Howard High School, 8700 Old Annapolis Rd., Ellicott City
- Howard County Library System East Columbia Branch, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia