Free Summer Meals and Summer Grocery Support for Families

This summer, SSPPS and The Open Door are offering free meals for all kids ages 1–18 with meals available at school and mobile sites. Families may also qualify for $120 per child in grocery support through Summer SUN Bucks.

Free Summer Meals for Kids

South St. Paul Public Schools and The Open Door are teaming up again this summer to provide free meals for all children in our community, ages 1-18. No registration or ID is needed, just show up and enjoy!

June 23 – July 24, 2025

Monday-Friday
No meals will be served the week of June 30

School Meal Sites (Open to the Public)
(Times may be subject to change)

Lincoln Center Elementary
June 23 - July 24 (Closed week of June 30)
Breakfast: 8:15-9:20 am
Lunch: 11:15 am-12:35 pm

SSP Secondary
June 23 – July 24 (Closed week of June 30)
Breakfast: 7:45–8:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:40 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

The Open Door Mobile Lunchbox Sites

These sites will be open the week of June 30, except for the July 4. Meals must be eaten onsite.

Stay Updated: Text BANANA to 651-370-8095 to receive schedule updates from The Open Door.

Summer SUN Bucks for Families

This summer, Minnesota will offer Summer SUN Bucks, a summer grocery benefits program providing families with $120 for each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out. Summer is a time when many children lose the free and reduced-price meals they get at school, and they might not have access to a regular meal. 

If you are already eligible for Education Benefits through the school district, you will automatically qualify to receive SUN Bucks. If you did not apply for Ed Benefits through the district, you have until June 12, 2025 to apply for Ed Benefits to receive Summer SUN Bucks.

This new program is in addition to free meals program through SSPPS and Open Door Pantry.

Benefits of SUN Bucks

• Helps more kids get access to healthy foods at the grocery store.
• Gives the flexibility to select a variety of foods.
• Improves food security and diet quality for participating children.

Children are eligible for the program if:

• The household already participates in SNAP, FDPIR, TANF, etc., OR
• The child attends a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program and the household income meets the requirements for free or reduced-price school meals (Educational Benefits)

To learn more about SUN Bucks visit the State of Minnesota SUN Bucks webpage.