School may be out for summer, but children 18 and under will continue to have access to nutritious meals.

Area schools and organizations once again are offering free meals to children. No registration, proof of income, or identification is required to participate.

While the free summer meals programs are open to all children, the goal is to reach children from low-income families whose access to healthy food may be limited over the summer.

Locally, 11 sites throughout Kalispell, Libby, Polson and Troy will serve free meals through the summer. Most locations offer breakfast and lunch, while some provide snacks or dinner.

New at many sites this year will be planned activities and games geared to different age groups in efforts to encourage physical activity while school out.

In May, Kalispell Parks and Recreation received a $26,200 grant through the National Recreation and Park Association to strengthen its summer meals program.

The department plans to purchase new equipment for the school district’s central kitchen (where meals are prepared) and renovate the concession building at Woodland Park. Additionally, money is earmarked for playground equipment, garden supplies for activities and playground equipment.

Organizations that serve meals receive some reimbursement through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program.

Participation has increased across the state, according to Lisa Le of No Kid Hungry. There were 546,000 meals served in 2014, a 10 percent increase over 2013. The number of sites serving meals has also increased from 2013 by five percent, or 192 sites, in 2014.

Le encourages more participation.

“The more kids participate only helps individual sites succeed,” Le said. “If you’re in rural Montana and serve 20 kids a day, for example, it’s hard to keep those sites afloat compared to sites serving 100 or more. It’s the same process of making 20 meals or 100 in terms of staffing.”

To view a map of current free summer meal locations visit mfbn.org/summerfoodmt. To receive a list of there nearest locations to you text “lunch” to 877877.

Meals will be served at the following locations:

Kalispell

• Elrod Elementary, 412 3rd Ave. W.

Now through Aug. 27, Monday through Friday

Breakfast — 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Lunch —11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Flathead County Fairgrounds, 265 North Meridian Road

July 6 through July 31, Monday through Friday

Lunch —11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Russell Elementary, 227 West Nevada St.

Now through Aug. 27, Monday through Friday

Lunch — 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Woodland Park, 1 Woodland Park Loop

Now through Aug. 27, Monday through Friday

Breakfast — 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Lunch — 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

(A kick-off barbecue will be held from 11:30 to 1 p.m., today)

Libby

• Libby Elementary School, 101 Ski Road

Now through June 30, Monday through Thursday

Breakfast — 8 to 8:30 a.m.

Lunch — Noon to 12:30 p.m.

• Libby Central Administration Building, 724 Louisiana Ave.

July 1 through Aug. 13, Monday through Thursday

Breakfast — 8 to 9 a.m.

Lunch — Noon to 1 p.m.

• McGrade Center Gym, 933 Farm to Market

July 1 through Aug. 13, Monday through Thursday

Lunch — 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Polson

• Cherry Valley School, 107 8th Ave. W., Polson

Now through Aug. 7, Monday through Friday

Breakfast — 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Lunch — 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

• Polson Boys and Girls Club, 110 6th Ave. E.

Now through Aug. 21, Monday through Friday

Snack — 2:30 to 2:45 p.m.

Dinner — 4:45 to 5:30 p.m.

Troy

• Troy Community Baptist Church, 725 E. Missoula Ave.

Now through Aug. 13, Monday through Thursday

Lunch — Noon to 1  p.m.

Snack — 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.