Free summer lunch offered for any kid in Laramie

Linford Elementary has been serving free lunch to any child 18 and under, giving Laramie families a weekday meal option while school is out. The program runs through July 30, with lunch served Monday through Thursday from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

That schedule makes the offer straightforward for parents and guardians who need a reliable midday meal during summer break. Because the lunch is open to any child 18 and under, families do not have to sort through a complicated eligibility process before heading to the school. The June menu was also posted for families trying to plan ahead.

The location matters just as much as the menu. Linford Elementary is a familiar site in Laramie, and school campuses are often among the easiest places for families to find a meal program quickly. Still, the setup leaves some practical hurdles. The lunch is available only in a narrow midday window and only four days a week, so transportation, work schedules and childcare can still keep some children from getting there.

The program fits Albany County School District #1’s broader food-service approach. The district says students can eat breakfast and lunch at school at no cost during the school year, and no applications or forms are required. Albany County School District No. 1 has also described its Summer Food Service Program as an eight-week effort for children in summer school or other kids who want to participate in lunch.

For Albany County families, the value is immediate. Summer can turn school meals into an extra expense, and a free lunch at Linford Elementary helps close that gap one weekday at a time.