Summer should be a time of fun, exploration and relaxation, for school children in Grand Rapids. But, for many, summer also means they are left without the nutrition they need to learn, grow, and thrive. Across the country more than 21 million children lose access to free or reduced-cost meals once the school year ends, and it could be the case for nearly a thousand in Grand Rapids, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

However, here in Grand Rapids, the community doesn't want that to happen, and it won't thanks to the David D. Hunting YMCA. They will now provide free meals to 24 programs this summer – more than ever before. These programs will serve more than 900 meals a day and over 1,300 meals a day during the month of July, thanks to a grant funded by the Walmart Foundation.

The USDA’s Summer Food Program, will provide free meals to children aged 18 and under without charge while school is out. The meals are limited to pre-registered children, but the Believe 2 Become program at Roosevelt Park Ministries is open to the community July 18th through July 28th, Monday-Thursday, from 12:00am – 1:30pm.

Here are the locations providing meals:

Aberdeen Park: 2230 Eastern Ave. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49505

Arbor Circle: 1115 Ball Ave. Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Believe 2 Become @ Mary Free Bed YMCA: 5500 Burton St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Believe 2 Become @ Roosevelt Park Ministries: 1530 Grandville Ave. SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Believe 2 Become @ U-Prep Academy: 521 S Division Ave. Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Calvin Christian Reformed Church: 700 Ethel Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Coit Creative Arts Academy: 617 Coit Ave. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503

The Cook Arts Center: 644 Grandville Ave. SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Cook Library Center: 1100 Grandville Ave. SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Cross Roads Bible Church: 800 Scribner Ave. SW Grand Rapids, MI 49504

David D. Hunting YMCA: 475 Lake Michigan Dr. Grand Rapids, MI 49504

David D. Hunting YMCA TeenZone: 475 Lake Michigan Dr. Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Martin Luther King Park: 900 Fuller Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Neland Ave Church: 940 Neland Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507

New City Neighbors: 1226 Union St. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49505

Plaster Creek Park: 2437 Buchanan Ave. SW Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Potters House: 810 Van Raalte Dr. Grand Rapids, MI 49509

Raspberry Field: 1010 Sheldon Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Richmond Park: 1829 Alpine Ave. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Riverside Park: 2875 Monroe Ave. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49505

Roosevelt Park Ministries: 1530 Grandville Ave. SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Sibley Field: 943 Sibley St NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Tabernacle Community Church: 2550 Eastern Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507

UICA (Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts): 2 Fulton St. W Grand Rapids, MI 49503

WMCAT (West Michigan Center for Arts & Technology): 98 Fulton St. E #202 Grand Rapids, MI 49503

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