Skip to main content

Become a Chalkbeat sponsor

Outside the classroom

Here’s where Shelby County families can find free meals and snacks this summer

By

and

| June 16, 2025, 9:43pm UTC

A student wearing a pink shirt and a blue backpack carries a tray of food with a sandwich, orange, milk and yogurt. — A network of groups in Shelby County are pitching in to help feed local students who may be missing out on regular school meals during the summer break. (Getty Images)

Sign up for Chalkbeat Tennessee’s free newsletter to keep up with statewide education policy and Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

For the first time in five years, many Shelby County families are missing out on supplemental grocery cash this summer after Tennessee stopped participating in a federal program that served the entire state.

In Shelby County, a network of organizations with the Memphis-Shelby County Schools s ummer feeding program are serving meals and offering food pick-ups for students who are without school meals during the summer break. But the dates those sites are up and running, their opening times, and the meals offered vary widely.

Chalkbeat Tennessee built this map to help you find convenient food pickup locations this summer. Be sure to click the blue dot on the map to confirm a location’s opening and closing times.

The Latest

‘Left in the dark’: Newark residents demand input on superintendent’s new contract talks

‘Left in the dark’: Newark residents demand input on superintendent’s new contract talks

Superintendent Roger León’s current contract has three years remaining, but the Newark Board of Education has quietly taken steps to extend his tenure an additional two years.

By

Catherine Carrera

| August 23

The estimated impact of NIH research grant cuts

The estimated impact of NIH research grant cuts

The Trump administration's budget cuts in 2026 could halt research on life-saving treatments, result in job losses, and hurt the economy in every U.S. congressional district, a new study says.

By

| August 22

Teachers, here’s what you need to know about Colorado’s new child abuse reporting law

Teachers, here’s what you need to know about Colorado’s new child abuse reporting law

Changes to requirements for educators and other mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect will take effect on Sept. 1. Here’s a guide on how to follow the new law.

By

| August 22

I run an internship program for undocumented youth. Here’s what we owe these promising students.

I run an internship program for undocumented youth. Here’s what we owe these promising students.

Amid threats of detention and deportation, we can no longer promise ‘safe spaces.’ But we can offer ‘brave spaces.’

By

Augusta Warton

| August 22

IREAD scores jump at IPS and Indianapolis charter schools, nearly return to 2019 levels

IREAD scores jump at IPS and Indianapolis charter schools, nearly return to 2019 levels

Roughly 70% of students passed the state’s IREAD exam at both IPS and charter schools.

By

Amelia Pak-Harvey

and

Cherry Salazar

| August 22

Here’s what Chalkbeat is watching as the new school year begins in Detroit

Here’s what Chalkbeat is watching as the new school year begins in Detroit

Budget uncertainty has school leaders worried about finances.

By

| August 22

Become a Chalkbeat sponsor

If you value Chalkbeat, consider making a donation

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to providing the information families and educators need, but this kind of work isn’t possible without your help.

Connect with your community

Find upcoming events

Events

Become a Chalkbeat sponsor