Even though schools remain closed, Collin County school districts have thankfully kept their free meal programs going. Because of the empty shelves, job uncertainty, and financial instability many are facing right now, feeding your family can feel more stressful than ever. But there are some incredible organizations in our area who have ramped up efforts in the face of this crisis. Here are some places to find help when food is scarce.
On the flip side, if you’re able to help, Texas food banks find themselves depleted. Typically, grocery stores and restaurants donate most of the food that stocks food banks, but because of restaurant closures and high-volume grocery shopping, there’s been far less available for donation (combined with unprecedented needs). Click on any of the food banks on this list to see how you can help.
Note: Be sure to check hours before attempting to pick up food from Friday, April 10 to Monday, April 13 due to Easter.
Also! The Texas Department of Agriculture has released new guidelines for parents to pick up meals from school without children present. If your child isn’t with you for pick up, you’ll need to bring some sort of documentation – a report card, birth certificate, student I.D… Be sure to click on your school district link below for more details. Some seem more strict about it than others.
ACROSS COLLIN COUNTY
North Texas Food Bank
NTFB partners with more than 200 food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters in the area. Besides your school district, this is the best place to start. Use the link above to find your nearest food pantry locations. Call before you go (especially these days) to make sure they are open and ready.
The NTFB Mobile Pantry is first come, first served. And it is now exclusively drive-thru in order to provide a “low touch” experience. You don’t need to register in advance, but you do need a vehicle for pickup. Check the link for locations.
“Mobile Pantry participants are required to give their name, share their family size and meet income eligibility requirements to receive food. No proof is necessary, the process is a self declaration.”
The Storehouse of Collin County (Seven Loaves Food Pantry)
Here is a list of zip codes in their service area. Families can receive free food assistance once per calendar month. You will need to provide valid I.D. and proof of residence. Open Thursdays: 4-6pm and Saturdays: 9-11am.
*They are actively working on developing new collaborative efforts with other agencies and Plano ISD to combat food insecurity. We will update as new info is shared!
Lovepacs
Lovepacs provides free supplementary meals for children who participate in the free or reduced lunch programs at schools in Frisco, Plano, Prosper, and more. During the COVID-19 crisis, Lovepacs will focus their efforts on dinners for kids. If you were not already connected with them through your school district, do reach out to them now.
Grace Bridge
Grace Bridge offers drive-thru style free food pickups to families within Collin County by appointment only. If you need food assistance, please complete and submit this form to reserve your food pickup appointment. See link for distribution schedule and more details.
PLANO
Plano ISD
Plano ISD provides free grab-and-go meals on weekdays at several locations across the district. Get curbside pickup lunch (plus breakfast for the next day). This program serves all students attending any Plano ISD school. Open Monday-Friday, 11am-1pm.
*More details at the link. Please note the slightly altered pick up options and requirements starting April 6.
Minnie’s Food Pantry
Plano ISD has also partnered with Minnie’s to further help district families. Each box contains food to feed a family of 4 for about a week. Families can receive free food assistance once per calendar month. You will need to provide valid I.D. and proof of residence. Open Monday-Saturday 8:30-11am.
FRISCO
Frisco ISD
Frisco ISD provides free to-go meals for students at six pick-up locations across the district. Starting Wednesday, April 8 you’ll pick up 5 days worth of breakfast and lunch at one time. Additional pickup details at the link. Sign up using the Student Meal Request Form. Open Wednesdays only, 11am-1pm.
Frisco Fastpacs & Lovepacs Frisco
These organizations provide weekend and evening meals to supplement the Frisco ISD weekday breakfast and lunch. During this crisis, Lovepacs will focus on weekday dinners and Fastpacs will do weekend meals. If you were not already connected with these organizations through your school district, do reach out to them now.
MCKINNEY
McKinney ISD
Their Grab & Go meal program is free for any MISD student and they’ve expanded to six school pickup locations. When you pick up, you’ll receive lunch for your child plus their breakfast for the next morning. See the link for updates and details on pickup locations. Open Monday-Friday, 11am-12:30pm.
ALLEN, FAIRVIEW, LUCAS, PARKER
Allen ISD
You can get multiple free meals for your child by picking up on three days each week at Rountree Elementary or Boyd Elementary Schools. See the link for details on the lunches and breakfasts offered. Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 11am-1pm.
PRINCETON
Princeton ISD
Princeton ISD currently offers daily grab-and-go breakfast and lunch pickup for any student 18 or younger. Both meals are offered at either pickup time. See link for more details. Open Monday-Friday, 8-9am and 11:30am-12:30pm.
They also offer weekly food pickup for students in elementary and secondary schools who qualify for the reduced/free lunch program. You can pick up a box filled with 5 breakfasts and 5 lunches every Monday afternoon. See link for more details. Open Mondays, 4-7pm.
PROSPER
Prosper ISD
Prosper ISD food services will offer grab and go lunch pickup at Baker, Furr, Rucker, and Windsong Elementary campuses on weekdays. You can get meals via drive-up or walk-up, but if you drive please stay in your vehicle to minimize interaction with others. Open Monday-Friday, 11am-12:30pm.
WYLIE, MURPHY
Wylie ISD
Grab-and-go meals are available on weekdays for Wylie ISD students. Pickup at Hartman Elementary School. See link for more details. Open Monday-Friday, 10am-12pm.
5 Loaves Food Pantry
Located in Sachse, but also serves families in Wylie. Days and hours of operation vary, see link for exact details.
ANNA
Anna ISD
Free lunches and breakfasts are available for all Anna ISD students from preK to 12th grade. Have a list of student names prepared to give staff members when you pick up. You can get meals via drive-up or walk-up, but if you drive please stay in your vehicle to minimize interaction with others. See link for pickup locations. Open Monday-Friday, 11am-1pm.
MELISSA
Melissa ISD
Curbside meal pickup for Melissa ISD students takes place once a week (on Tuesdays). Bring a large bag or box to carry a week’s worth of meals for your student(s). Please complete the Curbside School Meal Application at the link to request meals even if you were already registered for free/reduced lunch. Open Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30am.
CELINA
Celina ISD
Please fill out this Food Services Form if you need free meal assistance (one form per child). Lunches can be picked up at the junior high west parking lot every weekday. Open Monday-Friday, 11am-1pm.
