Warren County Public Schools Sun Meals to help kid nutrition during summer break

WARREN COUNTY, Ky. – Warren County Public Schools is taking the initial step at making sure students have meals over the summer break.

According to Kentucky Youth Advocates, in 2024, 19% of children under age 18 lived in poverty. That’s higher than the national average.

Kelly Holt, the director of Nutrition Services of Warren County Schools, said providing supplemental meals to kids of Warren County and beyond is essential to their health.

“As long as they’re in front of us and they’re 18 or under, we realize that they have a need for good nutrition,” Holt said.

The Sun Meal program provides an opportunity to parents and caregivers to pick up six meals per child for them to have food throughout the week.

“They can get great nutrition in our schools from August through May, whenever we’re in session and it’s very important for them to get that same level of nutrition in the summer. Just because school is out doesn’t mean that hunger ends,” he said.

From frozen pizzas to fresh orange juice, families can either pull up to have their trucks filled with food every Monday and Tuesday or they could opt to sit down and eat a warm meal at other locations.

Parents say this opportunity helps the wallet and keeps their kids full all season long.

“I think it’s important because my kids love the food, it’s easy, it’s quick things that you can just throw together super quick. I do know that some kids might not have food any other way this summer, so I think that that is especially important for those kids and those families,” said Katy Broce, a parent.

Holt said even with the hiking prices of groceries, parents can take advantage of staying ahead in the fridge. 

“No matter where they go to school, we just know that if they’re here or if their family is here to pick up meals, we want to fulfill that need. We want to be here and stand strong for our community,” Holt said.

For hot meals (must eat at location):

Natcher Elementary: Breakfast 8-8:30 a.m. Lunch 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (June 1-July 24. Closed July 3.)

Bristow Elementary: Breakfast 8-8:30 a.m. Lunch 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (June 1- June 26.)

Food Pick Ups:

MONDAY:

Alvaton Elementary: 9:30-11 a.m. (June 1-July 21)

North Warren Elementary: 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. (June 1- July 20)

Warren Elementary: 2-3:30 p.m. (June 1- July 20)

TUESDAY:

Warren East High School: 9:30-11 a.m. (June 2- July 21)

South Warren Middle School: Noon-2 p.m. (June 2- July 21)

Cumberland Trace Elementary: 3-5 p.m. (June 2- July 21)