MUSC expands Kids Eat Free summer program across state

CHARLESTON, S.C. (June 3, 2025) – MUSC Health will expand its Kids Eat Free at MUSC program this summer to increase the number of free healthy meals to children across South Carolina to include sites in Kershaw, Lancaster, Chester and Orangeburg counties. 

The program, launched in 2015 at the MUSC Health-Charleston Division, has been a cornerstone of MUSC's commitment to addressing food insecurity in our communities. Over the past decade, MUSC has served more than 52,000 meals, providing essential nutrition to children and teens during summer breaks.

Last summer, MUSC Health’s Florence, Marion and Black River medical centers kicked off the first Kids Eat Free at MUSC program in the Pee Dee Division. In just one month, those locations served 5,310 meals, highlighting the demand in these areas and the dedication of staff and partners involved in the effort.

“We are incredibly proud to expand the Kids Eat Free summer feeding program into more of the health system's regional sites across rural South Carolina,” said Quenton Tompkins, executive director for Governmental and Community Engagement. “Kids Eat Free goes beyond providing meals; it's about nourishing the health and well-being of our children in under-resourced areas, ensuring they have consistent access to nutritious food during the summer months. By utilizing our existing infrastructure, we can reach more families and build stronger, healthier communities.”

The MUSC locations listed below are open to all children 18 years and younger, Monday through Friday, with service dates and hours varying by site. Visitors, siblings and community members who meet this age requirement, regardless of their purpose at MUSC, can be served. MUSC does not require financial verification of need, but minors must be accompanied by guardians. 

Location	Address	Service dates	Time
Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital*	10 McClennan Banks Dr. Charleston	June 9-Aug. 8	11 a.m.-2 p.m.
University Hospital*	171 Ashley Ave. Charleston	June 9-Aug. 8	11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Ashley River Tower*	25 Courtenay Dr. Charleston	June 9-Aug. 8	11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Keith Summey Medical Pavilion*	2250 Mall Dr. Charleston	June 9-Aug. 8	10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Orangeburg Medical Center	3000 St. Matthews Rd. Orangeburg	June 16-July 25	11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Kershaw Medical Center	1315 Roberts St. Camden	June 23-Aug. 1	11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Lancaster Medical Center	800 W. Meeting St. Lancaster	June 16-July 25	11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Chester Medical Center	1 Medical Park Dr. Chester	June 16-July 25	11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Florence Medical Center*	805 Pamplico Highway. Florence	June 30-July 25	11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Black River Medical Center	3555 Williamsburg Highway Cades	June 30-July 25	11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Marion Medical Center	2829 East U.S.-76 Mullins	June 30-July 25	11 a.m.-2 p.m.

*This is a designated congregate site, and meals should be consumed on site. 

 Kids Eat Free at MUSC is part of the federally funded, state-administered Summer Food Service Program that provides reimbursement to approved locations that serve free healthy meals to children and teens in low-income areas during the summer months when school is not in session.   

 Our free meal program is designed to support individual families. While we are happy to provide free meals for children within family units, we are unable to accommodate requests from organized groups such as sports teams, day cares, or camps.

 Those interested in volunteering or learning more about Kids Eat Free at MUSC can contact Laura Nance at nancel@musc.edu. 

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About MUSC

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system, with a mission to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates over 3,100 students in six colleges and trains 950+ residents and fellows across its health system. MUSC leads the state in federal and National Institutes of Health and research funding. For information on our academic programs, visitmusc.edu.

As the health care system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and safest patient care while educating and training generations of outstanding health care providers and leaders to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. In 2024, for the 10th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health University Medical Center in Charleston the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visitmuschealth.org.

MUSC has a total enterprise annual operating budget of $7.1 billion. The 31,000 MUSC members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers, scientists, contract employees, affiliates and care team members who deliver groundbreaking education, research, and patient care.

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