Charlotte County kids can get free meals this summer starting June 8

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—Charlotte County Public Schools' Champ's Café announced details for its 2026 Summer Break Spot program, which will provide no-cost meals to children when school is not in session.

The initiative, themed "Fueling Champions," provides free breakfast and lunch to children ages 18 and under at participating sites across the county. The program will run from June 8 through July 29, with select locations beginning service earlier in June.

Last summer, Charlotte County Public Schools served nearly 50,000 meals through the Champ's Café Summer Feeding Program. The summer meal program is supported through federal program guidelines that provide access to nutritious meals for children during the summer months.

New this summer, families will have access to a 7-day bulk meal pick-up option, designed to provide greater convenience and flexibility. This option allows families to pick up a week's worth of breakfast and lunch meals at designated distribution sites.

Meals will be available through walk-in service at designated schools, libraries, mobile feeding locations, and bulk distribution sites to support broad community access across Charlotte County.

The Champ's on Wheels Mobile Feeding Bus will operate Monday through Friday, with adjusted service on select dates in June. Lunch-only service stops include the Port Charlotte Library from 10:30–11 a.m., Mid-County Library from 11:30 a.m.–noon, and Hampton Point Apartments from 12:30–1 p.m.

Neil Armstrong Elementary, Charlotte High, Myakka River Elementary, and Port Charlotte High will offer breakfast and lunch service Monday through Thursday in June. No Friday service will be available at these locations during June.

Meadow Park service begins June 3, with breakfast and lunch available Monday through Friday, including June 15. Baker Center service begins June 1, with breakfast and lunch available Monday through Thursday, as well as Friday, June 5 and June 12.

Families may pick up 7-day meal packs at designated neighborhood distribution locations from 11 a.m. to noon. Distribution occurs on Mondays at Alfred and Jones Loop Road and Tuesdays at the Charlotte Fairgrounds.

There will be no meal service on Friday, July 3. 

Families are encouraged to review the most up-to-date operating hours and site details on the official Champ's Café Summer Feeding website.