While school is out for the summer, different organizations and school districts around Indianapolis are offering free and nutritious meals for children and teens under the age of 18. We have rounded up several places for our free summer meal guide for the Indianapolis area – you can find all the places that are providing meals for families and we will continue to update this list throughout the summer as we get more information.
Indiana Department of Education
Kicking off our free summer meal guide in Indianapolis is the Indiana Department of Education. All Indiana students 18 and younger are eligible for free, healthy meals and snacks this summer thanks to the 2024 Summer Food Service Program, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture. The link above shows over 1,000 sites throughout the state offering meals. Click the link to find a site near you on the DOE’s school and community nutrition program map.
Another great option in our free summer meal guide in Indianapolis is Indy Parks & Recreation. Open to ALL kids 18 and under, Indy Parks & Rec’s meal service is available Monday through Friday at the below locations around Marion County. There is no registration necessary and completely free. They also mentioned that Second Helpings will provide sandwiches for adults at some locations.
Indy Parks Meal Serving Sites: Monday-Friday
Broad Ripple Park, (1610 Broad Ripple Ave.): 11:15 am-12:45 pm
Christian Park (4200 E. English Ave.): 12:00-1:00 pm
Ellenberger Park (5301 E. Saint Clair St.): 12:00-12:30 pm
Frederick Douglass Park (1616 E. 25th St.): 12:00-12:45 pm
Garfield Park (2345 Pagoda Dr.): 12:00-2:00 pm
Krannert Park (605 S. High School Rd.): 12:00-1:00 pm
Municipal Gardens (1831 Lafayette Rd.): 3:30-5:30 pm (Mon-Thurs), 4:00-6:00 pm (Fri)
Pride Park (1129 Vandeman St.): 4:30-5:30 pm
Riverside Park (2420 E. Riverside Dr.): 12:00-2:00 pm
Watkins Park (2360 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St.): 4:00-5:00 pm
Windsor Village Park (6510 E. 25th St.): 12:00-1:00 pm
Mobile Meal Sites (Monday-Friday):
Mobile Unit 1:
East 38 St Library (5420 E. 38th St.): 11:00-11:30 am
Beechwood Gardens Apts. (2915 N. Graham Ave.): 12:00-12:30 pm
Georgetown Apts. (3621 Bunker Hill Dr.): 1:00-1:30 pm
Wes Montgomery Park (3400 N. Hawthorne Ln.): 2:30-3:00 pm
Grassy Creek Regional Park (10510 E. 30 St.): 3:30-4:00 pm
Jake Green Park (1700 N. Franklin Rd.): 4:30-5:00 pm
Mobile Unit 2:
Laurelwood Apts. (3340 Teakwood Dr.): 11:00-11:45 am
Commons Park (2204 E. New York St.): 12:00-12:30 pm
East Washington Library (2822 E. Washington St.): 12:45-1:30 pm
Brookside Park Pool (3510 Brookside Pkwy. S. Dr.): 2:30-3:00 pm
Willard Pool (1901 E. Washington St.): 3:15-3:45 pm
Stanley Strader Park (2850 Bethel Ave.): 4:15-4:45 pm
Mobile Unit 3:
Rev. Charles R. Williams Park (3242 Sutherland Ave.): 11:00-11:30 am
Blackburn Terrace Apts. (3091 Baltimore Ave.): 12:00-12:30 pm
Brightwood Library (2434 N. Sherman Dr.): 1:00-1:30 pm
Arsenal Park (1400 E. 46th St.): 2:30-3:00 pm
Tarkington Park (45 W. 40 St.): 3:15-4:00 pm
Bertha Ross Park (3700 Clifton St.): 4:30-5:00 pm
Mobile Unit 4:
Woodhaven Park Apts. (6363 Commons Dr.): 11:00-11:30 am
Eagle Branch Library (3905 Moller Rd.): 12:00-12:30 pm
Frank & Judy O’Bannon Soccer Park (1001 E. 16th St.): 1:00-1:30 pm
Gustafson Park Pool (3110 Moller Rd.): 2:30-3:00 pm
Bowman Park (3600 Auburn Rd.): 3:15-3:45 pm
Centennial & Groff Park (2300 N. Centennial St.): 4:00-4:30 pm
Haughville Park (520 Belleview Pl.): 5:00-5:30 pm
Mobile Unit 5:
Northwestway Park (5253 W. 62nd St.): 2:00-3:00 pm
Meals are served by the Star Express Child Nutrition Program of Franklin Township Community School Corporation for onsite consumption from June 3rd – July 19th, Monday through Friday. There will be no meals on June 19th, July 4th, and July 5th. According to the website, all meals must be consumed on-site and are limited to one per child. Click here for the 2024 summer menu.
Arlington Elementary School (5814 S. Arlington Ave): 12:00-12:30 pm
Thompson Crossing Elementary School (7525 East Thompson Rd): 11:00-11:30 am
Mary Adams Elementary (7341 E. Stop 11 Rd.): 11:15-11:45 am
Franklin Central High School (6215 S. Franklin Rd.): 12:00-12:30 pm
The IPS Summer Meal program runs from June 3rd through July 19th, depending on the summer food service site, and with a brief pause on June 19th and July 4th. Please see the link to confirm the sites and dates. Meals are available to any child, 18 years of age and younger, regardless of enrollment within IPS. All meals must be consumed on-site.
Frederick Douglass ES 19 (2020 Dawson St.): 1:00-1:30 pm
Brookside 54 (3150 E. 10th St.): 1:00-1:30 pm
Charles Fairbanks 105 (8620 Montery Rd.): 1:00-1:30 pm
Daniel Webster 346 (1450 S. Reisner St.): 1:00-1:30 pm
Rousseau McClellan 391 (5111 Evanston Ave.): 1:00-1:30 pm
Shortridge HS 714 (3401 N. Meridian St.): 12:00-12:30 pm
Arsenal Tech HS 716 (1500 E. Michigan St.): 12:00-12:30 pm
Crispus Attucks HS 718 (1140 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St.): 12:00-12:30 pm
Haughville Library Branch 1 (2121 W. Michigan St.): 1:15-1:45 pm
Martin Luther King CC 1 (40 W 40th St.): Breakfast 9:00-9:30 am, Lunch 12:20-12:40 pm
Stratford Apts Leasing Office 1 (3201 Watergate Rd.): 11:00-11:20 am
Stratford Apts Clubhouse 1 (3201 Watergate Rd.): 11:30-11:50 am
Meals will be served from June 4th to July 12th at school sites, and June 10th to July 12th on community sites. Please see website for days they will not serve meals as well as the weekly menu. Meals are available daily Monday-Friday for children 18 and younger and meals must be eaten on-site.
Summer Bus/Van Schedule:
10 West Apartments 11:30 am-12:00 pm
The Boardwalk at Westlake 11:45 am-12:15 pm
Carriage House West 11:00-11:30 am
Chapel Hill Apartments 11:30 am-12:00 pm
Christina Oaks Park 12:30-1:00 pm
Cloverleaf Apartments 12:30-1:00 pm
Covington Square Apartments 12:15-12:45 pm
Drexel Gardens Church 12:30-1:00 pm
Heather Ridge Apartments 10:45-11:15 am
Wayne Public Library 12:15-1:00 pm
Mount Olive Church 11:00-11:30 am
Pangea Hills Apartments 11:00-11:30 am
Pondarosa 11:00-11:30 am
Stout Field Park 11:50 am-12:30 pm
The Park at Greenhill 11:45 am-12:15 pm
West Glen Village 10:45-11:15 am
Windsor Park Apartments 1:00-1:30 pm
School Locations:
Ben Davis 9th Grade Center 11:15-11:45 am
Ben Davis University 12:45-1:15 pm
Bridgeport Elementary 11:45 am-12:15 pm
Chapel Glen Elementary 11:15-11:45 am
McClelland Elementary 11:15-11:45 am
Pike’s free hot meal service is available for children 18 years and under – more information coming as soon as it is available!
The Decatur Township Child Nutrition program runs from June 4th through July 19th (no meals on July 4th & 5th). Lunch is served daily for kids 18 and younger for free, and adults can eat for $4.
DCHS Door #10 11:00 am-12:15 pm
Horizon Apartments 11:00-11:30 am
Stephen Decatur Elem Playground 11:00-11:30 am
Troy Manor 11:00-11:30 am
Heartland Crossing Park 11:00-11:20 am
Heartland Crossing Pool 11:30-11:50 am
Blue & Gold Academy Door #14 11:45 am-12:15 pm
Lynwood Elementary 11:45 am-12:15 pm
Lynhurst Park 11:45 am-12:15 pm
West Newton Elem Lower Parking Lot 12:00-12:20 pm
On-site meal service will begin on Monday, June 3rd, and will continue through July 19th (at various sites, and no service June 19th and July 4th) for community members ages 18 and under. Students participating in JumpStart and Summer Care will be provided breakfast and lunch at no cost every day they are on-site. Please see the link above for the specific dates for the school-based sites.
Non-School-Based Sites (Monday-Friday):
Community Gardens (9240 E. 46th St.): 11:00-11:20 am
Harrison Point Apartments (9093 East Bourbon St.): 1:00-1:30 pm
Lake Castleton Apartments (7601 Carlton Arms Dr.): 12:45-1:30 pm
Maison Garden Apartments (8808 Rue Madeleine): 11:45 am-12:15 pm
Maplewood Home Community (12451 Pendleton Pike): 11:20-11:45 am
Oak Ridge Mobile Homes (9530 Pendleton Pike): 12:25-1:05 pm
Post Brook Apartments (9265 East 41st Street): 12:25-12:50 pm
Reserve at Franklin Glenn (8016 Louisville Dr.): 11:15-11:40 am
Spring Valley Homes (8820 Pendleton Pike): 1:10-1:40 pm
Arts for Lawrence Theater (8920 Otis Avenue): 11:55 am-12:15 pm
Benjamin Harrison YMCA (5736 Lee Road): Breakfast 8:30-9:00 am, Lunch 12:00-12:30 pm
School-Based Sites Monday-Thursday:
Belzer Middle School (7555 East 56th Street): 11:20-11:50 am
Brook Park Elementary (5259 David Street): 12:15-1:00 pm
Crestview Elementary (7600 East 71st Street): 12:15-12:45 pm
Fall Creek Valley Middle School (9701 East 63rd Street): 12:30-1:00 pm
Harrison Hill Elementary (7510 East 53rd Street): 12:15-1:00 pm
Indian Creek Elementary (10833 East 56th Street): 12:15-12:45 pm
Lawrence Central High School (7300 East 56th Street): 11:20-11:50 am
Lawrence North High School (7802 Hague Road): 11:20-11:50 am
Mary Castle Elementary (8502 East 82nd Street): 12:00-12:30 pm
Oaklandon Elementary (6702 Oaklandon Road): 11:15-11:45 am
Skiles Test Elementary (7001 Johnson Road): 12:00-12:30 pm
Sunnyside Elementary (6345 Sunnyside Road): 12:00-12:30 pm
Winding Ridge Elementary (11825 East 46th Street): 12:00-12:30 pm
Perry Township Schools Child Nutrition Department will provide free breakfast and lunch for children 18 and under from June 3rd-July 19th, and at several community locations starting June 10th. All meals must be eaten on-site, and meals will not be served on July 4th and 5th. Click here for the flier.
School/Library Serving Sites:
Perry Meridian High School: Breakfast 7:15-8:45 am, Lunch 11:00 am-12:30 pm
Southport High School: Breakfast 7:15-8:45 am, Lunch 11:00 am-12:30 pm
Community Serving Locations:
Berkley Common Apartments 11:10 am-12:10 pm
Longacre Community 11:00-11:20 am
Southport Library 11:50 am-12:50 pm
Brookwoods Apartments 1:10-1:35 pm
Harvard Square Coop. 11:40-11:55 am
CrossRoads at Southgreen Apartment 12:25-12:55 pm
Fountain Lake Villas 10:55-11:20 am
Bradford Lakes Apartments 10:50 am-12:00 pm
Capital Place Apartments 11:35 am-12:25 pm
Sawmill Apartments 11:50 am-12:20 pm
Greentree Apartments 11:35 am-12:35 pm
Regency Park Apartments 11:55 am-12:45 pm
Strawbridge Green Apartments 12:45-1:05 pm
South & Madison Apartments 11:00-11:15 am
Lifeway Church 1:30-1:50 pm
Fox Club Apartments 12:35-1:05 pm
Crossroads at Madison Park 11:45 am-12:10 pm
Summer food distribution started May 28th and is available for all kids 18 and under until July 19th (check the link for date exceptions). All meals must be consumed on-site and all children should be accompanied by an adult.
Breakfast:
Stonybrook Intermediate and Middle School (11300 Stony Brook Dr.): 8:30-9:00 am
Liberty Park Elementary (8425 East Raymond St.): 8:30-9:00 am
Ransburg YMCA (501 N. Shortridge Rd.): 8:30-9:00 am
Lunch:
Stonybrook Intermediate and Middle School (11300 Stony Brook Dr.): 12:00-1:00 pm
Liberty Park Elementary (8425 East Raymond St.): 12:00-1:00 pm
Ransburg YMCA (501 N. Shortridge Rd.): 12:30-1:00 pm
Moorhead Community Resource Center (8400 E. 10th St.): 12:00-1:00 pm
The Caring Place (2901 N. Post Rd.): 12:00-1:00 pm
Free meals on site will be offered from May 30th to July 12th, depending on the location (Note: closed June 19th and July 4th). Students 18 and younger must be present to be given meal and meals must be eaten on site.
Breakfast & Lunch Locations:
Nora Elementary (1000 E. 91st St.) Breakfast 8:30-8:45 am, Lunch 11:45 am-12:15 pm
Westlane Middle School (1301 W. 73rd St.) Breakfast 8:30-8:45 am, Lunch 11:45 am-12:15 pm
Lunch Only Locations:
Estates at Crystal Bay (7136 Crystal Bay Drive) 11:00-11:30 am
Meridian South (2085 Waterford) 11:00-11:30 am
Highland Pointe (5480 Michigan Rd.) 11:00-11:30 am
Pickwick Farms (1540 Handball Ln.) 11:00-11:30 am
Jean Solomon Park (6100 Grandview Dr.) 12:00-12:30 pm
Meridian North (2100 Westlane Rd.) 12:00-12:30 pm
The Aura (3035 W. 39th St.) 12:00-12:30 pm
To cap off our free summer meal guide Indianapolis – Beech Groves’ summer servings program serves free lunches available daily Monday through Friday to children 18 and under followed by a fun park activity. Adults can eat for $5 per meal, cash only.
Beech Grove High School, main entrance (5330 Hornet Ave.) 12:00-12:30 pm
South Grove, entrance 4E (851 S. 9th St.) 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Don Challis Park, main pavilion (1100 S. 9th St.) 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Central Elementary Playground (1000 Main St.) 12:00-1:00 pm
Looking for a site that’s closer to home? Text the word FOOD to 877-877 to get a list of free school meals near you!
You can also check them out on this interactive map to get directions directly from your home!
Have any locations that need to be added to our free summer meal guide for the Indianapolis area that we missed? Share it with us!
