Community Education
Summer Lunch in the Park returns July 9
Food Backpacks 4 Kids’ Summer Lunch in the Park program returns July 9 at four sites in the Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula areas.
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The program fills a critical gap for many families who rely on free or reduced lunch programs during the school year. But it’s open to any kid who needs a meal during the summer, not just the 2,500 Peninsula School District students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.
In Gig Harbor, Summer Lunches in the Park will be offered at noon Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 9 to Aug. 29 at the Skate Park, 3510 Grandview Dr. The park is adjacent to the Gig Harbor Civic Center.
Food Backpacks also provides free lunches at three Key Peninsula sites on the same summer Tuesdays and Thursdays: Gateway Park, the Key Peninsula Civic Center and Home Park.
Food Backpacks 4 Kids serves free Lunch in the Park for students during the summer to help fill the gap for students who rely on meals provided by schools. The summer meal program runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 9 through Aug. 29.
Altrusa International
The Gig Harbor chapter of Altrusa International is partnering with Food Backpacks to provide meals at the Gig Harbor Skate Park. Altrusa members will purchase the food and prepare it at Agnus Dei Lutheran Church before delivering the brown-bag lunches to the Skate Park.
“We’ve been looking for ways to grow the program,” said Michelle Johnson, communications director for Food Backpacks 4 Kids. “That was one of our limitations — who do we have that can help organize, provide volunteers, stuff like that? They stepped up and offered to help.”
In 2023, Summer Lunch in the Park provided more than 3,000 meals over eight weeks. That was a substantial increase over the 2,000 meals in 2022, a sign of increased need — and increased visibility for the program, which added the Skate Park location last summer.
“Having the skate park back again this year will be good,” Johnson said. “Last year it just set a precedent that we’re there. To be back, I think we’ll see more people involved that way.”
Sponsors of the Free Summer Lunch at the Park program include Morrison Gravel, The Kids’ Dentist Gig Harbor, Harbor Christian Center and Chapel Hill Church. KeyPen Parks and the city of Gig Harbor allow complimentary use of their facilities for the program.
Food Backpacks 4 Kids serves free Lunch in the Park for students during the summer to help fill the gap for students who rely on meals provided by schools.
Other programs
Just across the county line, Burley-Glenwood Elementary School in the South Kitsap School District hosts a U.S. Department of Agriculture SUN Meals site.
The SUN Meals program provides meals and snacks during the summer for kids of all ages. Click here for more information about SUN Meals.
A new resource for families this summer is the USDA’s Sun Bucks program. Sun Bucks provide qualifying families with $120 per child to but groceries during the summer.
Congress created the program late in 2022 and it launched this summer.
School-age children enrolled in programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families will automatically be enrolled in Sun Bucks. Families also can apply directly to participate if they meet income limits and other requirements. Call 833-543-3230 for information.
SUN Bucks may be automatically added to a SNAP account, issued as a separate electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card, or sent in other ways. Benefits expire 122 days after they’re issued.
Sun Bucks also can be used at the Gig Harbor Waterfront Farmers Market.
Local resources
Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank is open from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays; 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays. It is closed Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The food bank is at 4303 Burnham Dr.
Food Backpacks 4 Kids’ Family Pantry is open from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9127 154th Ave. Ct NW in Key Center. The pantry provides staples, dairy, meats and produce to any person in need of food.
The Rotary Club of Gig Harbor Midday operates six Little Free Pantry locations across the Gig Harbor and Key peninsulas. The pantries provide emergency food and hygiene supplies at all hours under a “Take What You Need, Leave What You Can” philosophy. Locations include:
- Agnus Dei Lutheran Church, 10511 Peacock Hill Ave, Gig Harbor
- Peninsula Life Church, 6501 147th St. Ct. NW in Purdy
- Key Peninsula Lutheran Church, 4213 Lackey R. NW, Lakebay
- WayPoint Community Church, 12719 134 Ave. N.
- Outside Food Backpacks 4 Kids, 9127 154th Ave Ct. NW in Lakebay
- Lakebay Community Church, 11 Cornwall Road