Union County Public Schools (UCPS) is reinstating two initiatives designed to address the educational and nutritional needs of children in the community this summer: the Mobile Book Bus and the Free Summer Meal Program.
The Mobile Book Bus
The UCPS Mobile Book Bus has already begun its tour of Union County to bring elementary school children the joy of choosing their books. creative writing favorites so I can read them during the summer.
This adapted bus will travel to various schools, community venues, and parks to offer children the opportunity to board the bus and choose for themselves from a wide selection of age-appropriate books, at no cost to their families.
“Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, staff, students, and our partner Promising Pages"We have thousands of new and gently used books waiting to be distributed to elementary school students," the school district said.
Where will the bus be?
The bus will also be making a tour of some parks from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm in:
Chestnut Square Park: July 2, 16, and 30. The park is located at: 320 Chestnut Pkwy, Indian Trail, NC 280709
Crooked Creek Park: August 8, 22, and 5. The park is located at: 5900 Oakwood Ln, Indian Trail, NC 28079.
The book bus will also be parked at several summer reading camps, such as at Marshville Elementary School, located at 515 N Elm St, Marshville, NC 28103.
Families can consult the calegendary Check the Mobile Book Bus to see the schools and community locations it will visit based on your zip code.
Related: Where to find summer camps in North Carolina in 2026?
Summer Free Meal Program
From mid-June until August 6, UCPS began offering free, hot, healthy lunches for children under 18 as part of their Free Summer Meal Program.
Children do not need to register to receive lunch. Meals are distributed Monday through Thursday. in three placeswhere their parents can pick them up or take their children there for lunch.
The school district said good nutrition is essential for learning in school, and that maintaining healthy eating habits is also important during the long, hot summer months.
“Eating nutritious foods helps students retain their knowledge so they can continue learning throughout the summer. For many of these children, summer vacation can bring the temptation to eat snacks and foods with empty calories, high in sugar, fat, and sodium,” said the UCPS.
“Make the fruits and vegetables "Make seasonal foods a high priority in your snacks, meals, and anytime," she adds.
However, there is also another situation for some families, in which students are at risk of being exposed to food shortages, which can impair their development.
“Summer is a time for enthusiastic fun, but it’s also a time to remember to eat well. Make sure good nutrition remains a priority throughout the summer, and students will return to school in the fall healthy, alert, and ready to learn,” UCPS notes.
Related: Free summer meals in Henderson: Who qualifies and how to access the program for children
Free summer meal distribution: locations and times
Lunches are being distributed at three schools around the county from Monday to Thursday:
Walter Bickett Elementary School
Where the option to eat on site is offered.
Marshville Elementary School
Curbside pickup only. Hours: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Rocky River Elementary School
Curbside pickup only. Hours: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Resources in NC: Text to find free breakfast and lunch sites for students in North Carolina this summer
Additional meals
To provide additional support to families, Marshville and Rocky River elementary schools will also provide breakfast bags for the following day, in addition to Friday's breakfast and lunch, which will be included in Thursday's pickup.
Atrium Health Summer Meal Program
In addition to the UCPS offerings, families can also access free summer meals through Atrium Health and Morrison Healthcare as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program.
The Atrium Health Union Women and Children's Center in Monroe will offer free lunches for children 18 and under, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., June 29 to July 3 and August 10 to 21, at 600 Hospital Drive. Meals must be eaten in the cafeteria.
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