Free summer lunches return for kids in Bozeman

Bozeman, Mont. — Free weekday lunches for kids are back on the front lawn at the Bozeman Public Library as local groups work to fill the gap families face during summer. 

Children can pick up a free meal from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. The program is offered through the HRDC, the Bozeman Public Library and the Bozeman Library Friends and Foundation.

Funding for this program comes from the Department of Agriculture. 

Two years ago, the library announced it would no longer serve as a free lunch distribution site because the neighborhood’s average household income was too high. Ellie Newell, the library’s youth services director, said that summer HRDC served 40% fewer meals, and the library had 40% fewer attendees in its summer programs. 

Newell said the library’s role in the community made the lunch distribution site important. 

“We know people come from all over the valley to the library. It's a community gathering space. And so, it was really important that we be able to provide meals here at this location, because that is clearly what the community is asking for,” Newell said. 

According to the Montana Food Bank Network, one in six children faced food insecurity. The state superintendent’s office reported that 40 percent of students in the 2022-23 school year qualified for free or reduced lunch. 

Last summer, a grassroots campaign from parents connected with Newell, HRDC and the Library Friends and Foundation, which brought funding back for the program.  

“The library foundation raised money, and they actually privately pay us to provide free lunches for kids at the library,” explained the HRDC’s food and nutrition director, Jill Holder. 

The USDA program provides funding for the other lunch pickup sites around town. But regardless, all sites are open for all kids, Holder explained. 

“Any kid can come, so some are in need, and some are not necessarily financially in need, but it makes it sothere's no stigma involved with receiving lunches. And people who have enough money often struggle to feed their kids nutritious food. So, it's like I said, a win-win for everybody,” she said. 

Holder also explained that volunteers put a lot of work into making nutritious meals kids will enjoy. 

One child named Henry said he looks forward to coming to the library for activities and good food. 

“I like the granola stuff in the bread and also the milk. It's cool and refreshing,” he said. “I like to check out books and play in the library in the kids' section.” 

Lunches are available for kids 18 and under with no application or registration required. Other lunch sites in Bozeman include the HRDC Marketplace, Story Mill Park, MSU Family Housing and the Bozeman Sports Park. 

Other cities across Montana have similar programs, whether lunches are distributed through schools or nonprofits. This includes Missoula, Kalispell, Butte, Great Falls, Helena and Billings.