Kingsport, TN—May 27, 2026: More than 21 million children in the United States rely on school breakfasts and lunches each year to help provide the nourishment they need to learn, grow, and thrive. During the summer months, when school cafeterias close, many families face additional financial strain as they work to replace those meals at home. Feeding America notes that summer meal programs play a critical role in helping children continue to receive nutritious food when school is out.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee (SHFBNT) is working to bridge that gap by delivering nutritious summer meal boxes directly to communities throughout the region. In 2026, SHFBNT is expanding its Summer Feeding Program with a goal of distributing over 300,000 meals through more than 50 community distribution sites across Northeast Tennessee.
Each meal box will contain food and milk for seven breakfasts and seven lunches for one child. All foods included in the meal boxes follow USDA nutrition guidelines and feature kid-friendly choices designed to support healthy growth and development. Summer nutrition programs supported by the USDA, No Kid Hungry and Feeding America help ensure children continue to have access to balanced meals that include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and protein-rich foods during the summer months.
The first meal box distribution will be held on Thursday, May 28, from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Second Harvest Food Bank facility located at 1020 Jericho Drive in Kingsport and will continue each Thursday through July 30.
Also on Tuesday from 11:15 am -12:45 pm a community distribution will be held at Lowes, 2324 W. Stone Drive in Kingsport.
On Wednesdays from 11 am to 1:00 pm, John Deere employees will be distributing at the Greeneville Tech Center, 1121 Hal Hendard Road in Greeneville
Additional meal box distributions will continue throughout the summer across SHFBNT’s eight-county service area. Families with children under the age of 18 are eligible to receive the meal boxes regardless of income or need, and caregivers visiting the area with children are also welcome to participate.
Distribution schedules and locations can be found on the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee website, www.netfoodbank.org, by selecting “Get Help” and then “Summer Feeding Program”. Interested families can enter their zip code which will bring up locations nearest them, selecting the site that is most convenient to see date/time of the distribution. Alternately, families can call SHFBNT at (423) 279-0430 or visit the organization’s social media pages for the daily distribution schedule.
Summer hunger affects entire communities. Children may return to school less prepared to learn, parents and caregivers face difficult choices to stretch household budgets, and communities feel the long-term impact when children do not have consistent access to nutritious meals. Through partnerships with volunteers, community organizations, schools, and supporters throughout the region, SHFBNT is helping create a summer where children are nourished, active, and ready to succeed.
Together, our community is not only filling plates — we are fueling futures.