Where to find free and nutritious meals for kids in Des Moines this summer

Francesca Block, Des Moines Register
·3 min read

School's out and it's finally summer break in Des Moines, but for some young Des Moines residents, school is a vital place where they can get access to nutritious meal options.

Luckily, Central Iowa Shelter & Services steps in during the summer to help provide free and nutritious meals to youth across Des Moines. The meals are specially prepared at the shelter's community kitchen and are free for all kids under the age of 18.

Free meals will be provided at various sites around the city beginning on June 12 through August 23. Site locations will also feature fun activities for kids, according to CISS.

Where to get free meals this summer

Below are the times and locations of free meal distributions for youth in Des Moines throughout the summer. Meals are provided on a first-come, first-served basis, according to CISS.

June 12 – August 23

  • Columbus Park 10:30 a.m.-noon Monday through Thursday

  • Drake Park 10:30 a.m.-noon Monday through Friday

  • Evelyn K Davis Park 10:30 a.m.-noon Monday through Friday

  • Fourmile Community Center 3-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

  • Forest Ave Library 4-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4-6 p.m. on Fridays, and 4-5 p.m. on Saturdays

  • Grubb Community YMCA 4-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Park 10:30 a.m.-noon Monday through Friday

  • Meadow Village 12:30-2 p.m. Monday through Friday

  • Pioneer Columbus Community Center 3-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

  • Prospect Park 10:30 a.m.-noon Monday through Friday

June 13 – August 23

  • Water Works Park 12:30-2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday

  • Sunset Park 12:30-2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday

  • Crivaro Park 12:30-2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday

  • Union Park 12:30-2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday

July 5 – August 23, Saturdays only

  • Homes of Oakridge/Oakridge Community Center, noon-1:30 p.m. on Saturdays

Other free, family-friendly events this summer

Des Moines families can also enjoy meals and movies at parks around the city through the Parks and Recreation Department's Free Flicks summer series.

Movies will begin every other Friday at 6:30 p.m. and will be shown on a 17-by-10-foot LED Screen. Admission is free and families are encouraged to bring their own blankets and lawn chairs. CISS will also provide meals from 6-6:30 p.m., weather permitting.

The movie series will kick off on Friday, June 9 with Luca, a Disney animated coming-of-age story, which will be shown at the Northwest Aquatic Center at 4915 Madison Avenue.

Here are the times and locations of the remaining movie events this summer:

  • June 23: Lightyear at Pioneer Park (1650 E. Pioneer Rd.)

  • July 7: DC League of Super Pets at Grandview Park (3230 Easton Blvd.)

  • July 14: Minions: The Rise of Gru at Frisbee Park (6101 Muskogee Ave.)

  • July 21: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever at Beaverdale Park (3333 Adams Ave.)

  • Aug. 4: Finding Nemo at Birdland Pool (300 Holcomb Ave.)

  • Aug. 18: Monster's University at Brody Middle School park (2501 Park Ave.)

Francesca Block is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at FBlock@registermedia.com or on Twitter at@francescablock3.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Central Iowa Shelter & Services provides free youth meals this summer