Kansas City students won’t have to go hungry this summer.

Thanks to funding through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Summer Meal Program, the Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) will be able to provide a free nutritious lunch and breakfast five days a week.

“We know that a lot of our families are struggling, especially in this economy. We see evidence of our students not always receiving healthy and full meals,” KCPS Manager of Public Relations Andre Riley said.

More than 84 percent of the school district’s students qualify for free and reduced lunches, he said. The state average is 47.8 percent.

Riley stressed that the program is also available to students who don’t attend KCPS.

“We want kids from within the borders of the school district to take advantage (of this program),” he said. “It’s open to all students in the city, not just our students.”

Meals will be served during the summer school session from June 4 through June 29. Those eligible for the free meals are students age 18 or younger and eligible adults with disabilities age 18 or older.

Meals will be served Monday through Friday at the following locations and times:

•Satchel Paige Elementary, 3310 E. 75th St.

•Wheatley Elementary, 2415 Agnes

•Gladstone Elementary, 335 N. Elmwood

•Central High School, 3221 Indiana

•Elementary breakfast – 8 a.m to 9 a.m.

•Elementary lunch – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

•Secondary breakfast – 7 a.m to 8 a.m.

•Secondary lunch – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.