The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ Summer Meals Kickoff event, which is packed with free meals and activities for kids, is taking place this month.
On Thursday, June 12, the United Way will host the annual event, which marks the start of the organization’s Summer Meals program for 2025. The program helps address food security in North Texas by giving free nutritious meals to children in need while school is out of session.
Festivities start at 10:30 a.m. and run until 12:30 p.m. at 2828 Fish Trap Road in Dallas. According to the event’s description, visitors can expect free food provided by Dallas ISD and Nutrition Services, raffles, crafts for kids, inflatables, snow cones, music, and more.
“Summer should be a time for fun, not hunger… We’re proud to join hands to bring the community together to address food insecurity head-on, while also celebrating the power of volunteers and the impact of local partnerships,” said Jennifer Sampson, McDermott-Templeton President & CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, per NBC.
Sampson said summer break can be a challenging period for some children to secure nutritious food, making the program all the more critical. In some school districts, nearly nine out of 10 students rely on federal nutrition programs during the school year, leaving a huge gap during breaks.
“This is especially important during out-of-school time when access to federal nutrition programs may be limited. Events like the Summer Meals Kickoff connect families with nutrition education, local resources, and enrichment activities—helping raise awareness and build a stronger safety net for those facing food insecurity,” she said.
In 2023 alone, the United Way served 1.5 million meals in Dallas and Collin counties across 1,366 sites, with over 50 sponsoring groups assisting with the program.
If you plan on attending the Summer Meals Kickoff event, register ahead of time on the United Way website.