Summer Feeding Sites for children and teenagers - 2026
This page is part of the LOVE Columbia information library website. To contact the organization listed below, please follow links or phone numbers given within the article.
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The City of Columbia Summer Lunch Program provides free, nutritious lunches to children and teens 18 and under during the summer months, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the school lunch program.
Program Dates & Hours
Runs: June 1 – August 7, 2026
Closed: June 19 and July 3 (no lunch on these days)
Days: Monday–Friday
Meal times: Vary by site (see schedule below)
Main Serving Sites
Armory Sports & Recreation Center (701 E. Ash St., rear parking lot)
Lunch: Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Note: Large groups must call the WIC office (573‑873‑7384) at least one day in advance to ensure enough meals.
Powerhouse of Columbia (separate food vendor)
Lunch & Snacks at multiple locations:
Columbia Housing Authority (CHA) Stuart-Parker (225 Unity Dr.): Lunch 12:00–12:30 p.m.; Snack 1:30–1:50 p.m.
CHA Bear Creek (1109 Elleta Blvd.): Lunch 12:00–12:30 p.m.; Snack 1:30–1:50 p.m.
Columbia Square (1715 W. Worley St.): Lunch 11:00–11:30 a.m.; Snack 12:50–1:10 p.m.
Indian Hills Park (5009 Aztec Blvd.): Lunch 12:00–12:30 p.m.; Snack 1:30–1:50 p.m.
Welcome Inn (1612 N. Providence Rd.): Lunch 12:00–12:30 p.m.; Snack 1:30–1:50 p.m.
Demaret Drive (718 Demaret Dr.): Lunch 11:00–11:30 a.m.; Snack 12:50–1:10 p.m.
Hanover Estates (1601 Hanover Blvd., Bldg. 7): Lunch 11:00–11:30 a.m.; Snack 12:50–1:10 p.m.
Progressive Missionary Baptist Church (702 Banks Ave.): Lunch 11:00 a.m.–noon
How to Participate
Eligibility: All children and teens under 18 are welcome; no income verification required.
Meal prep: Meals are prepared by Columbia Public Schools at the Armory site; Powerhouse uses a separate vendor.
Volunteering: Sign up online at the WIC Lunch in the Park page or email columbia@powerhousecdc.org
Contact
WIC Office (Armory site): 573‑873‑7384
Volunteer sign-up: WIC Lunch in the Park page or email above.
This program is part of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), ensuring nutritious meals for children during the summer when school is out.