Access to Free Summer Meals Remains a Challenge for Rural Montgomery County Families

The conclusion of the school year brings additional challenges for families in Montgomery County who depend on schools for free meals. Despite the expansive summer meals program offered by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), families in rural areas such as Poolesville and Barnesville find it difficult to access these resources.

For instance, the nearest summer meal site to Poolesville Elementary is over 10 miles away, necessitating at least a 20-minute drive. Community leader Link Hoewing emphasized the unique challenges faced by residents in these areas compared to the rest of the county.

MCPS operates more than 100 sites under the federal Summer Food Service Program, which mandates that locations be situated in school attendance areas where at least half of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Unfortunately, the four schools in the Poolesville cluster, which include two elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school, do not meet this criterion. Monocacy Elementary comes closest, with around 25% of its families classified as economically disadvantaged.

While children from these schools can still access free meals, they must travel to designated sites to obtain nutritious options like chicken sandwiches and fresh produce. MCPS spokesperson Liliana López noted that the program adheres to strict federal regulations, limiting the ability to expand access in areas that do not meet eligibility requirements.

To address the needs of families during the summer months, officials encourage those in need to apply for the state’s SUN Bucks program, which provides $40 monthly for each eligible child. According to fall 2025 data, the four schools in the Poolesville cluster serve over 350 low-income families.

Katie Longbrake, who leads a nonprofit organization called WUMCO Help, highlighted the precarious nature of summer for food-insecure children. She noted that the lack of access to meals can create significant stress for families. WUMCO Help aims to bridge the gap by collecting food donations and distributing packages to families in the area.

Last summer, WUMCO assisted approximately 40 families weekly, but Longbrake anticipates an increase in demand this year due to rising grocery prices and fuel costs. Many families lack nearby grocery stores, compounding the difficulties of securing food.

The challenges faced by rural areas in Montgomery County reflect broader systemic issues, as the region is sparsely populated with about 13,000 residents, making up only 1% of the county's population but occupying nearly 20% of its land. Longbrake pointed out that the rural nature of the area complicates access to services designed for urban and suburban populations.

Reported by HarborBeat based on The Baltimore Banner (source).