Kids Meal Network

When summer comes each year, thousands of kids across the Greater Pittsburgh Area are left without consistent access to healthy meals. Our 8-10 week program feeds food insecure children after school has let out and there is no longer the offering of a lunch meal to the kids every day. The Kids Meal Network offers a hot meal and a snack to the young community one to five times a week -the serving schedule may vary depending on the site, responding to the specific needs of its location.

During the summer of 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, all of the Kids Meal Network sites converted to grab ‘n go locations and operated for 14 instead of 9 weeks…giving out over 33,000 meals to hungry children. These sites operated in Allegheny, Armstrong and Westmoreland counties.

Each summer, 100+ volunteers came together to serve hot meals at locations across Western Pennsylvania. Locations are chosen based upon the number of children who are eligible for free and reduced meals during the school year. This program operates as part of the Summer Food Service Program, all volunteers and staff must have up-to-date clearances, and training is provided on Food Safety as well as how to administer the program. Meals are appealing and nutritious and each site offers enrichment activities such as crafts and games. The majority of our locations are local churches.

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Looking for ways to host a summer food site for kids in your neighborhood?

Kids Meal Network, a program of United Methodist Church Union, offers local churches an opportunity to serve the kids in their neighborhood a wholesome meal several times each week for 9 weeks each summer….. AT NO COST TO THE HOST CHURCH!

What does my church need to provide?

  • Site Manager - either a church member or a neighbor willing to take the lead
  • Vetted Volunteers (2-5) - church members or neighbors who have appropriate clearances
  • Food & Supply Storage - refrigeration, safe storage for nonperishables, freezer would be great, separate storage for paper goods, etc.
  • Ability to heat/hold food at temp-oven, chafing dish set up (provided)
  • Accessible place to serve food with shelter
  • Hand-washing sink, minimum of one other sink for sanitizing serving items

What does Church Union provide?

  • Food and all other items related to food service such as paper goods, chafing dishes, sanitization supplies, etc.
  • Stipend for Site Manager (1099) - Site Manager can elect to redirect the stipend to the church
  • Assistance with securing clearances
  • Training
  • Oversite (to keep in accordance with government guidelines)
  • Help with additional programming - providing materials, books, etc.

For More Information Call the office at  (412) 231-4900  or  use our online submission form

“It’s so easy to get involved as a volunteer and make a difference hands-on. We’re right here.”

- Cheri Pogue, Program Director for UMCU