Charles County Public Schools is offering free summer meals through the Meals on the Move program to help families in rural areas of the county. The program will run from June 24 through Aug. 7 at three designated sites, providing cold breakfasts and lunches to go for children ages 2 to 18.
The meal truck, operated by CCPS food and nutrition services staff, will visit each site on specific days. Meals will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. The sites were chosen because they are in rural parts of Charles County, meeting USDA requirements for the program.
The schedule is as follows:
- Mattawoman Beantown Park & Ride, 3220 Mattawoman Beantown Road, Waldorf: Noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays, June 24 through Aug. 5.
- Free Gospel Church of Bryans Road, 3180 Livingston Road, Bryans Road: Noon to 1 p.m. on Thursdays, June 25 through Aug. 6.
- Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School, 9275 Ironsides Road, Nanjemoy: Noon to 1 p.m. on Fridays, June 26 through Aug. 7 (no service on July 3).
For families with children enrolled in CCPS, a parent or guardian must be present to pick up meals. Identification from the ParentVue app (showing the Student List screen) or a copy of the child’s most recent report card is required. This is a USDA rule that applies whether or not the child is physically present.
Non-CCPS students, home-schooled children, students not yet school-aged, or those living outside the county can also receive meals. Parents or guardians will be asked to complete a simple USDA registration form. All information collected is kept confidential.
Charles County is also operating its Lunch on Us program this summer at four school sites. These meals must be eaten on site, but any child ages 2 to 18 can participate. More information on Lunch on Us is available on the CCPS website.
The Meals on the Move program is part of a national effort to ensure children have access to nutritious meals when school is not in session. In Charles County, the program targets rural areas where transportation can be a barrier for families. Southern Maryland counties, including Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s, have seen increased demand for summer meal programs as more families face food insecurity. USDA data shows that summer hunger affects millions of children nationwide, and programs like Meals on the Move help bridge the gap when school breakfast and lunch programs are not available.
The Charles County sites were selected to reach families in communities such as Waldorf, Bryans Road and Nanjemoy. These areas include both growing suburban neighborhoods and more remote rural sections where access to consistent meals can be limited during the summer months. The program helps reduce the burden on parents who may be working or facing other challenges during the school break.
CCPS food and nutrition services staff will operate the meal truck and distribute meals at each location. The program is funded through the USDA Summer Food Service Program, which supports states and local organizations in providing meals to children during the summer.
Families are encouraged to plan ahead and arrive during the scheduled times. The program is designed to be convenient and accessible, with no cost to participants.
For more information about the Meals on the Move program or Lunch on Us sites, visit the Charles County Public Schools website.
