Youth, 18 and under, can enjoy SUN Meals onsite together at community locations when school is out. Summer meal sites offer food, fitness, and fun for kids and teens! Finding free, appealing, nutritious meals for kids and teens this summer is easy!

Map your location and find summer meals sites across the state.

• ENGLISH: NC Site Finder Map, from the NC Department of Public Instruction.
• SPANISH/ESPAÑOL: USDA Site Finder Map.

• Check your local school district’s website, social media, and other communications for the most up-to-date information.

Don’t forget:

• All kids and teens ages 18 and under can eat for free.
• Some meal sites may ask for registration to receive meals.
• Contact sites ahead of visiting to verify information like times and location.

Who can receive free summer meals?

Children and teens, ages 18 and younger, are eligible to receive free summer meals.

Where are free meals offered?

Free summer meals are available at more than 2,500 locations in North Carolina. Use the NC Site Finder Map, from the NC Department of Public Instruction, to locate summer meal sites near you! Summer meal sites are safe places for kids and teens to go, such as schools, faith-based facilities, camps, parks, libraries, and community centers.

Do I need to apply to receive free meals for children?

Parents and guardians do not need to apply to the Summer Nutrition Program to receive free summer meals for their children.

Are registration or ID required?

No ID is needed for kids to eat meals in person if the sites are open to the general public. However, organizations sponsoring SUN Meals To-Go may ask for parents to register for meal pick up or delivery.

When are free meals offered for children?

Free nutritious meals are available June through August each year when traditional school is out.

Looking for fun, free ways to keep your child engaged and learning this summer? Head to your local library! From story times to creative group activities, libraries offer something for every age and ability. Exploring new books, joining programs, and connecting with other families can help your child build social and literacy skills, spark curiosity, and stay on track while school’s out. Don’t forget - many libraries also offer accessible resources.

Check out what your local branch has to offer and make summer learning a family adventure!

The American red Cross has a variety of resources to help your child learn about water safety while having fun in and around water. They have content designed for kindergarten through fifth graders that includes videos, activity sheets and quizzes to help them demonstrate what they've learned and take pride in their new knowledge! A parent and caregiver guide is available to help you enhance their learning.

Enjoy these budget-friendly activities and events in summer in North Carolina, because limited funds doesn't mean you have to have limited fun.

This in-depth guide from Upgraded Points can help you better navigate airports and flights while traveling with a disability. This guide also includes many tips and tricks to make flying a more enjoyable process.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE GUIDE

ECAC's Painting the Big Picture resources is a great way to introduce your child to anyone new that may be working with them. This can include summer camp staff, childcare providers, service providers and their new teachers in the fall. This worksheet has been created as a way for any adult to help “paint the big picture” of a child they care about and know well. The worksheet guides each writer to describe the child and to provide “tips” on what works best. The tips allow you to make a connection between what YOU know and what others can do to help them to be successful.

Click HERE to Download

The Right to Education Project (REP) is the statewide education justice project of Legal Aid of North Carolina that fights for students in the public education system to get access to the quality education they have a right to, and to end the school to prison pipeline. REP works to protect North Carolina public school students, including those in charter schools.

DRNC enforces the education rights of students with disabilities ages 3 through 22 who attend public schools in our state. The law requires schools to teach students with disabilities in the school building except in very rare cases. Additionally, schools must use effective instruction that meets the student’s individual needs. Schools must teach them even if they have severe disabilities or challenging behaviors.

The Children’s Law Clinic provides free legal advice, advocacy, and legal representation to low-income, at-risk children in cases involving special education, school discipline, and children’s disability benefits. The clinic is staffed by Duke Law students who bring their compassion, commitment, and energy to the task of advocating for at-risk children.

The Family Support Network™ of North Carolina enhances the lives of children who have disabilities, mental health challenges, and special healthcare needs by providing parent to parent support, education, and caring connections to their families.

First In Families of North Carolina, FIFNC, helps people with disabilities and their families to believe in their dreams, achieve their goals and give back to others. They support individuals and families in a variety of ways, including acquiring needed goods and services.

Through advocacy, capacity building and systems change, the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities improves the opportunities and lives of over 180,000 North Carolinians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families.



The Arc believes that all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have strengths, abilities, and inherent value, are equal before the law, and must be treated with dignity and respect. 

The Autism Society of North Carolina improves the lives of individuals with autism, supports their families, and educates communities. Our services and programs are tailored to the unique needs of individuals with autism.

The Office of Exceptional Children (OEC provides resources and documents intended to help families understand various aspects of Special Education in North Carolina.