Jessica Chenoweth 
School is almost out and that means the kids will be home for the summer. For many families this causes a bit of stress as the daily free lunches they had come to rely on are gone. When things are tight financially, this added expense can really be a strain. Luckily, there are a lot of places that provide lunches to families during the summer free of charge.
SFSP Meal Sites
Through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), Feeding provides free summer meals for children under 18 throughout San Diego County. Meals come in boxes containing one week’s worth of prepared meals (e.g., five breakfasts and five lunches) to be consumed onsite or taken home. Parents or guardians can pick up meals without their kids present. Meals are served on a first-come basis.
Armed Services YMCA
3293 Santo Rd.
San Diego, CA 92124
Mondays 7 to 10 a.m.
06/10/24 – 08/09/24
Julian Elementary
1704 Cape Horn St.
Julian, CA 92036
Mondays 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
06/10/24 – 7/12/24
Mesa Grande Indian Housing Authority
27000 Black Canyon Rd.
Warner Springs, CA 92086
Monday through Friday 12 to 1 p.m.
06/10/24 – 08/09/24
Montgomery Waller Rec Center
3020 Coronado Ave.
San Diego, CA 92154
06/10/24 – 07/26/24
San Diego County Library – Jacumba Branch
Jacumba Community Park, 44605 Old Hwy 80
Jacumba Hot Springs, CA 91934
Tuesdays 12 to 7 p.m.
6/11/24 – 8/20/24
Warner Springs Resource Center
30950 California Highway 79
Warner Springs, CA 92086
Tuesdays 3 to 5 p.m.
06/17/24 – 7/31/24
Vista Library
700 Eucalyptus Ave.
Vista, CA 92084
Tuesdays 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
06/17/24 – 8/31/24
Valley Center Library
29200 Cole Grade Rd.
Valley Center, CA 92082
Tuesdays 1 to 3 p.m.
6/18/24 – 8/20/24
Ramona Community Library
1275 Main St.
Ramona, CA 92065
Thursdays 12 to 1 p.m.
7/8/24 – 8/8/24
Summer School Pantries
Certain school pantries stay open through the summer months to continue supporting the community. School pantries provide various dry goods and fresh produce. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own bags and method of transportation for the no-cost groceries.
El Cajon Valley High School
1035 E Madison Ave.
El Cajon, CA 92021
2nd and 4th Tuesdays 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
6/4/24 – 6/28/24
Howard Gardner Community School
647 E St.
Chula Vista, CA 91910
1st and 3rd Tuesdays 3:30 p.m. until food runs out
6/6/24 until next school year
Pendleton Elementary
6506 Solita Ave.
San Diego, CA 92115
2nd and 4th Thursdays 12 to 5 p.m.
6/6/24 – 7/12/24
Warner Elementary
30951 CA-79
Warner Springs, CA 92086
2nd and 4th Tuesdays 3 to 5 p.m.
6/11/24 until next school year
Castle Park Middle School
160 Quintard St.
Chula Vista, CA 91911
2nd Wednesdays 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
6/12/24 until next school year
NHA Head Start
3770 Altadena Ave.
San Diego, CA 92105
Wednesday 6/12/24 and Wednesday 8/21/24 1 to 3 p.m.
6/12/24 and 8/21/24
San Marcos Elementary
1 Tiger Way
San Marcos, CA 92069
2nd and 4th Wednesdays 12 to 1:30 p.m.
6/12/24 until next school year
Lincoln High School
4950 Holly Dr.
San Diego, CA 92113
2nd and 4th Fridays 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
6/14/24 – 7/12/24
Borrego Springs High School
587 Palm Canyon Dr.
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
1st and 3rd Tuesdays 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
6/18/24 until next school year
Porter Elementary
445 South 47th St.
San Diego, CA 92113
1st and 3rd Wednesdays 9 a.m. until food runs out
6/19/24 until next school year
The Preuss School
UCSD 3750 Voigt Dr.
La Jolla, CA 92037
2nd and 4th Fridays 2 to 4 p.m.
6/21/24 – 7/12/24
Lexington Elementary
1145 Redwood Ave.
El Cajon, CA 92019
1st and 3rd Thursdays 7 to 9 a.m.
6/26/24 – 7/31/24
Summer Mobile Pantries
Feeding San Diego has partnered with the San Diego County Library to host free food distributions at county libraries throughout the county during the summer months. Summer mobile pantries provide various dry goods and fresh produce. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own bags and wagons to carry the food, which includes pantry items and fresh produce.
Poway Summer Pantry
13137 Poway Rd.
Poway, CA 92064
Wednesdays 6/12, 6/26, 7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31, 8/7 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Casa de Oro Summer Pantry
9805 Campo Rd. #180
Spring Valley, CA 91977
2nd and 4th Thursdays 12:30 to 5 p.m.
June – August 2024
Lakeside Summer Pantry
12428 Woodside Ave.
Lakeside, CA 92040
4th Fridays 1 to 2 p.m.
June – August 2024
Borrego Springs Summer Pantry
2580 Country Club Road
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
Tuesday 6/18 Wednesdays 7/3, 7/17, 8/7, 8/21, 9/4, 9/18 12 to 1 p.m.
Parks After Dark
Feeding San Diego has partnered with Parks After Dark to provide no-cost groceries at their events. Members of the community can attend Parks After Dark and enjoy music, entertainment, arts & crafts, and other activities, as well as access a variety of community resources. Assorted dry goods and fresh produce will be available every Friday during the event. There are no Parks After Dark events on the week of the Fourth of July.
City Heights Recreation Center
4380 Landis St.
San Diego, CA 92105
Fridays 5 to 8 p.m.
June 20 – August 17, 2024
Linda Vista Recreation Center
7064 Levant St.
San Diego, CA 92111
Fridays 5 to 8 p.m.
June 20 – August 17, 2024
Skyline Recreation Center
8285 Skyline Dr.
San Diego, CA 92114
Fridays 5 to 8 p.m.
June 20 – August 17, 2024
Memorial Recreation Center
2902 Marcy Ave.
San Diego, CA 92113
Fridays 5 to 8 p.m.
June 20 – August 17, 2024
Silver Wing Recreation Center
3737 Arey Dr.
San Diego, CA 92154
Fridays 5 to 8 p.m.
June 20 – July 27, 2024
Summer Meal Program Through San Diego Unified
The San Diego Unified School District is once again partnering with the City of San Diego and the California State Library to offer nutritious and delicious food during the summer months.
Free summer meals will be offered to children and teens, ages 18 and under. Meal locations include select San Diego Unified schools, libraries, parks & recreation centers, and other community sites.
The Summer Feeding Program kicks off June 10 and continues through August 2, open Monday through Friday. Times and locations vary.
