FORT SMITH — Kids in the River Valley can receive free meals even as schools let out for the summer.
These meals are available to all kids 18 and younger, with no proof of income or sign-up required.
Low-income families can also receive money to help pay for groceries through the summer EBT program, which served around 290,000 Arkansas children last year. Some families in the River Valley may also be able to receive food assistance through the River Valley Food 4 Kids program.
FORT SMITH
The Fort Smith School District will be serving free breakfast and lunch at 12 locations. Meals will be served Monday through Friday from June 2 to July 31 at most locations, while Carnall Elementary will stop serving meals on July 23. All locations will be closed July 3 and 4. Breakfast will be served from 8-9 a.m., and lunch will be served from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Meals are dine-in only, and children must be present to eat.
Ballman Elementary School, 2601 S. Q St.
Barling Elementary School, 1400 D St. in Barling
Beard Elementary School, 1600 Cavanaugh Road
Carnall Elementary School, 2524 Tulsa St.
Fairview Elementary School, 2400 S. Dallas St.
Howard Elementary School, 1301 N. 8th St.
Morrison Elementary School, 3415 Newlon Road
Park Elementary School, 4111 Park Ave.
Spradling Elementary School, 4949 Spradling Ave.
Sunnymede Elementary School, 4201 N. O St.
Sutton Elementary School, 5001 Kelley Highway
Tilles Elementary School, 815 N. 16th St.
VAN BUREN
The Van Buren School District will be serving free breakfast and lunch at four locations. Meals will be served June 2 through June 27.
One location, Tate Elementary School at 406 Catcher Road, will only be open on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This location will provide meals for the entire week for pick-up, which includes five breakfasts and five lunches. All other locations listed below will run Monday through Friday. Times vary by site.
Blakemore Field, 2202 Alma Blvd. (Breakfast 9:30 a.m, lunch 12:30 p.m.)
King Elementary School, 411 N. 20th St. (Breakfast 8:30 a.m., lunch noon)
Oliver Springs Elementary School, 505 Northridge Drive (10:30-11:30 a.m. pick-up)
SUMMER EBT
Summer EBT cards can also provide groceries to low-income families while schools are closed for the summer. Families who are eligible receive a preloaded card of $120 per child to help them buy groceries.
This money can be used to buy food like fruits, vegetables, meat, whole grains, and dairy at grocery stores, farmers markets and other places that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
Families are eligible for summer EBT benefits if they:
Applied and were approved for free or reduced-price lunches for their children through the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program during the 2024-25 school year.
Were enrolled in the SNAP or Transitional Employment Assistance program during the 2024-25 school year.
Had children enrolled in a Head Start or Early Head Start program during the 2024-25 school year.
Had children who were in foster care, homeless, runaways or in a migrant family.
Have a household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.
Some children automatically qualify for summer EBT, while others will need to apply.
FOOD 4 KIDS PROGRAM
River Valley Food 4 Kids provides free food for up to five school-aged kids in EBT-eligible households while school is out. Meal kits, distributed once a week for 10 weeks, include protein, pasta, whole grains, fresh produce and snacks. This year, the program runs from June 10 to Aug. 13.
During the first pick-up, families must provide a form of ID for each child registered, such as a social security card, an ARKids card, a report card, a school schedule or a birth certificate, as well as a parent or guardian’s photo ID.
Dates and times vary, and pick-up locations can be found in Atkins, Clarksville, Coal Hill, Dardanelle, Danville, Dover, Hector, Lamar and Russellville. Families can register for the program on their website.
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