Charleston, S.C. – MUSC Health is expanding its “Kids Eat Free at MUSC” program this summer to provide even more healthy meals to children across South Carolina.
About the Program
The “Kids Eat Free” program, which began in 2015 at the MUSC Health-Charleston Division, is part of the federally funded Summer Food Service Program. This program provides free, nutritious meals to children and teens in low-income areas during the summer months, when schools are closed. The meals are served at approved locations, with reimbursements available to these sites for their service.
Over the past decade, MUSC Health has provided over 52,000 meals to children and teens during summer breaks. Volunteers hope to serve another 52,000 meals this summer as they continue their efforts to combat food insecurity in local communities.
Program Expansion
Quenton Tompkins, the Executive Director for Governmental and Community Engagement at MUSC, expressed pride in the expansion, saying, “We are incredibly proud to expand the Kids Eat Free summer feeding program into more of the health system’s regional sites across rural South Carolina. Kids Eat Free goes beyond providing meals; it’s about nourishing the health and well-being of our children in under-resourced areas, ensuring they have consistent access to nutritious food during the summer months.”
He continued, “By utilizing our existing infrastructure, we can reach more families and build stronger, healthier communities.”
Where and When the Meals Will Be Served
This year, the program will run at various MUSC Health locations across South Carolina. Children 18 and under are welcome to receive free meals, Monday through Friday, with specific dates and times listed below:
- Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital
10 McClennan Banks Drive, Charleston
June 9 – Aug. 8, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. - University Hospital
171 Ashley Avenue, Charleston
June 9 – Aug. 8, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. - Ashley River Tower
25 Courtenay Drive, Charleston
June 9 – Aug. 8, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. - Keith Summey Medical Pavilion
2250 Mall Drive, Charleston
June 9 – Aug. 8, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. - Orangeburg Medical Center
3000 St. Matthews Road, Orangeburg
June 16 – July 25, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. - Kershaw Medical Center
1315 Roberts Street, Camden
June 23 – Aug. 11, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. - Lancaster Medical Center
800 W. Meeting Street, Lancaster
June 16 – July 25, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. - Chester Medical Center
1 Medical Park Drive, Chester
June 16 – July 25, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. - Florence Medical Center
805 Pamplico Highway, Florence
June 30 – July 25, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. - Black River Medical Center
3555 Williamsburg Highway, Cades
June 30 – July 25, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. - Marion Medical Center
2829 East U.S.-76, Mullins
June 30 – July 25, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Ongoing Commitment to Community Health
The expansion of the Kids Eat Free program underscores MUSC Health’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and supporting the health of children in underserved communities. By offering consistent access to healthy meals during the summer months, MUSC aims to make a lasting impact on local children’s well-being.
