Free Summer Meal Programs Returning to Howard County for Summer 2026
As students head into summer break, several organizations across Howard County are once again stepping up to help make sure local kids have access to nutritious meals while school is out.
From ready-to-eat lunches to take-home food bags, families in Kokomo and Russiaville will have multiple opportunities to receive free meals throughout the summer with no registration, ID, or income verification required.
HoME Food Program Returns for Second Summer
The Howard County Meal Equivalency (HoME) Food Program will return this summer to provide free lunches and take-home meals for K-12 students throughout Howard County.
The program was launched last summer following the loss of Indiana’s Sun Bucks Summer EBT program and was designed to help bridge the gap for families during the summer months.
Students may visit one distribution site per week to receive:
A free ready-to-eat lunch
A bag of take-home food items
Meals are available while supplies last, and the program is open to all K-12 students in Howard County.
Kokomo Distribution Sites
Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
June 3 through July 22
Locations include:
Garden Square Apartments community room (coordinated by Bridgeway Church)
Pine Valley Apartments community room (coordinated by Northview Church)
Al Berryman Park/North Splash Pad (coordinated by Crossroads Community Church)
Bon Air Park (coordinated by Morning Star Church)
Grace Baptist Church gymnasium/cafeteria (coordinated by church staff)
Mohr Park
Russiaville Distribution Site
Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
June 4 through July 23
Location:
Honey Creek Church
In addition to the scheduled sites, the HoME Food Program will also partner with the Kokomo Fire Department’s “Spray and Play” program to distribute meals at local parks throughout the summer.
No identification, registration, or EBT verification is required to participate.
Taylor Community Schools Summer Meals Program
Taylor Community Schools will again offer free summer meals for all children ages 18 and younger at Taylor Elementary School, regardless of whether they attend Taylor schools.
Meal Details:
Location:
Taylor Elementary School
5500 Wea Drive, Kokomo
Dates:
Monday through Friday
June 1 through June 12
Meal Times:
Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Meals must be eaten on-site. No application or income verification is required. Adults may purchase a meal for $4.
Year-Round Food Pantry Resources Available
In addition to summer meal programs, several food pantries and community organizations across Howard County provide ongoing food assistance throughout the year.
According to the Howard County Food Pantry List, local resources include:
Fresh Start Ministries
Samaritan Love Center
St. Vincent de Paul
Salvation Army
Hands of Grace
Crossroads Church
New Hope Church
New Life Church
Kokomo Rescue Mission
Food Finders Mobile Food Truck
Many locations operate weekly or monthly and may require identification or proof of residency. Families are encouraged to contact individual organizations for current schedules and eligibility requirements.
Additional food assistance resources can be found through:
Families looking for additional summer meal locations can also visit the USDA Summer Meals for Kids Site Finder to search for participating meal sites throughout Indiana as they are announced.
