LEONARDTOWN, Md. – St. Mary’s County Public Schools’ (SMCPS) Food and Nutrition Services will provide free summer meals for children 18 and under through two programs starting in June 2025. A non-congregate meal service will distribute weekly 5-day breakfast and lunch packs at five school locations from June 17 to August 12. Additionally, the Lunch at the Library program, in partnership with St. Mary’s County Library and the Department of Social Services, will serve daily meals at Lexington Park Library from June 16 to August 15.
The non-congregate meal service begins Tuesday, June 17, 2025, and runs through Tuesday, August 12, 2025. Meals will be distributed weekly on Tuesdays at two pick-up times, noon to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., at five locations: Chopticon High School (2530 Colton Point Road, Morganza), Leonardtown Middle School (24015 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown), Oakville Elementary School (26410 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville), Park Hall Elementary School (20343 Hermanville Road, Park Hall), and Spring Ridge Middle School (19856 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park). These meal packs, containing breakfast and lunch for five days, are available to children not participating in the Lunch at the Library program. Pre-registration is required through the Summer Meals Registration link provided by SMCPS.
The Lunch at the Library program will operate Monday through Friday from June 16, 2025, to August 15, 2025, serving meals from noon to 1 p.m. at Lexington Park Library (21677 Franklin Delano Roosevelt Blvd, Lexington Park). This initiative offers free meals to children 18 and under, with adult meals covered by the St. Mary’s County Department of Social Services. No registration is required for this program, making it accessible for families seeking daily meal options during the summer.
SMCPS Food and Nutrition Services aims to ensure children have access to nutritious meals when school is out. The non-congregate service targets families needing bulk meal solutions, while the library program provides a convenient daily option. Both programs align with federal summer meal initiatives to address food insecurity among youth. For additional details, families can contact Food and Nutrition Services at foodservice@smcps.org.
The non-congregate pick-up sites were selected to cover various geographic areas of St. Mary’s County, ensuring accessibility for rural and urban families. Chopticon High and Oakville Elementary serve northern communities, while Park Hall Elementary and Spring Ridge Middle cater to southern areas. Leonardtown Middle provides a central location. The library program, located in Lexington Park, targets a high-traffic area for families near the county’s largest population center.
These programs build on SMCPS’s ongoing efforts to support student nutrition. During the school year, the district provides free or reduced-price meals to eligible students, and summer programs extend this commitment. The partnership with the library and Department of Social Services enhances community outreach, offering meals in a welcoming environment where families may already visit for other services.
Families are encouraged to plan ahead for the non-congregate service due to the registration requirement. The online registration portal streamlines the process, allowing SMCPS to estimate demand and prepare adequate meal packs. The library program, with no registration needed, offers flexibility for families with varying schedules.
SMCPS has operated summer meal programs for several years, adapting to community needs. The dual approach in 2025 reflects feedback from families seeking both convenience and consistency. By offering bulk pick-ups and daily servings, the district addresses diverse needs while maintaining nutritional standards.
