Akron free lunch program, Akron Public Schools
The City of Akron and Akron Public Schools will provide free lunch and breakfast to qualified children 18 and younger. (Laura Taylor / Creative Commons) Credit: Laura Taylor

Starting Monday, the City of Akron and Akron Public Schools will begin feeding children 18 and under who qualify based on income guidelines through the National School Lunch Program.

“Children who are part of households that receive food stamps or benefits under the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are automatically eligible to receive free meals,” according to a City of Akron press release. 

The free meals, prepared by APS, will be handed out at community centers and other locations across the city. 

“Kids deserve to just be kids and not have to worry about where their next meal is coming from,” Mayor Shammas Malik said in the press release. “The summer food service program allows them to do that. I’m grateful to Akron Public Schools and to all of our community center staff for making this program possible.”

The program is a reprise of a summer 2023 program. 

The program runs Monday through Friday from June 10 to Aug. 2 excluding holidays. Here are the locations and times to receive free breakfasts and lunches.

LocationAddressNeighborhoodBreakfastLunch
Cascade Village285 N. Howard St.Cascade Valley9 a.m.11:30 a.m.
Dreams AcademyProgram dates 6/17 – 7/25 2199 Fifth Street SW Kenmore8:30 a.m.12 p.m.
Ellet Community Center2449 Wedgewood DriveEllet9 a.m.11 a.m.
Firestone Park Community Center1480 Girard StreetFirestone Park9 a.m.11:30 a.m.
Joy Park Community Center825 Fuller StreetEast Akron9 a.m.11:30 a.m.
Kenmore Community Center880 Kenmore BoulevardKenmore10 a.m.12 p.m.
 Lane Field (outside)630 Vernon Odom Blvd.Sherbondy HillN/A11:30 a.m.
Lawton Street Community Center1225 Lawton StreetWest Akron9 a.m.12 p.m.
Mason Park Community Center700 E. Exchange StreetMiddlebury9 a.m.12 p.m.
Northwest Community Center1730 Shatto AvenueNorthwest Akron9 a.m.11:30 a.m.
Summit Lake Community Center380 W. Crosier StreetSummit Lake9 a.m.11:30 a.m.
 Vincent House838 E. Exchange StreetMiddlebury9 a.m.11:30 a.m.
 Wilbeth Homes888 Eller Ave.Firestone Park9 a.m.11:30 a.m.

For information, contact Robert Dowdell, Akron Food Service Program coordinator, at 330-375-2832 or rdowdell@akronohio.gov.

Community Journalism Director (he/him)
Kevin leads the Akron Documenters program at Signal Akron, connects with the community and supports the journalists in the newsroom. With a servant leader mindset, he brings more than 30 years of experience in local journalism, media consulting, and education to Akron. Editor & Publisher selected Kevin as top media leader in their “25 over 50” class in 2022. Members of the group were selected for their “strong work ethic, transformational mindsets, commitment to journalistic and publishing excellence, and their ability to lead during challenging times.” Kevin is committed to serving the residents of Akron with an optimistic, inclusive, and innovative mindset to help elevate civic engagement and local journalism.