DOVER, NH — Community Action Partnership of Strafford County (CAPSC) is proud to announce the return and expansion of its Summer Meals Program for the 2026 summer season, helping ensure local children and families have access to nutritious food while school is out of session.
This year, CAPSC is expanding its weekly bagged meal program with a new distribution site in Northwood, making it easier for even more families to access free summer food support close to home.
At participating weekly bag sites, families can conveniently drive up and receive three bags of groceries for each child in their household ages 18 and under. The program is designed to help supplement grocery costs during the summer months, when many families lose access to the breakfasts and lunches children receive during the school year.
“With the continued rise in food costs, summer can place additional strain on family budgets,” Betsey Andrews Parker, CEO of CAPSC, said. “Our goal is to help bridge that gap and make sure children throughout our community have access to healthy, reliable meals all summer long.”
CAPSC’s Summer Meals Program began in 2012 serving 3,500 meals at just two locations. Since then, the program has continued to grow alongside community needs. In 2025 alone, CAPSC served more than 25,000 meals to local children and families across Strafford County.
In addition to the weekly bag distribution sites, CAPSC will also continue offering free breakfast and lunch meal sites throughout the summer for children ages 18 and under.
Weekly Bag Distribution Sites (June 22, 2026 – August 27, 2026)
At weekly bag distribution sites, families can pick up bagged meals for the week for children under 18 at the following locations and times:
- The Goodwin Library — Mondays from 10:30–11:30 AM
422 Main Street, Farmington, NH
- Friend-Lee Pets — Mondays from 4:00–5:30 PM
40 Concord Road, Lee, NH
- Barrington Middle School — Tuesdays from 4:00–5:30 PM
51 Haley Drive, Barrington, NH
- Elizabeth Fernald Park — Wednesdays from 4:30–6:00 PM
172 Central Street, Farmington, NH
- Chesley Memorial Library — Thursdays from 4:00–5:30 PM
8 Mountain Avenue, Northwood, NH
Daily Meal Sites (June 22, 2026 – August 21, 2026)
- Rochester Middle School
47 Brock Street, Rochester, NH
Breakfast: 8:00–9:00 AM
Lunch: 11:00 AM–12:30 PM
- Somersworth Housing
25 Bartlett Avenue, Somersworth, NH
Breakfast: 9:00–9:30 AM
Lunch: 12:00–12:30 PM
- Rutland Manor
1 Abbey Lane, Dover, NH
Breakfast: 8:15–8:45 AM
Lunch: 11:15–11:45 AM
- Rochester Housing
5 Emerson Avenue, Rochester, NH
Lunch: 12:30–1:00 PM
All meals and grocery bags are free for children ages 18 and under.
The 2026 Summer Meals Program is made possible in part through the generous support of Kennebunk Savings.
CAPSC is also grateful to the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire for donating 150 family passes to be shared with participating families throughout the summer. An In-Kind donation from the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire has also allowed CAPSC to include free museum passes for children at our Summer Meal site locations- which will be distributed to families inside the weekly summer meal bags.
CAPSC encourages any family in need of additional food support this summer to reach out and take advantage of the program’s free meals for kids 18 and under.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. More information about meal site locations, schedules, and program details can be found at: https://straffordcap.org/summermeals
About Community Action Partnership of Strafford County
Community Action Partnership of Strafford County is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization established under the provisions of the Equal Opportunity Act of 1964 and was founded locally in Strafford County in 1965. The mission of Community Action Partnership of Strafford County is to reduce barriers to help clients improve their economic stability and well-being through education, advocacy, and partnerships. While holding the vision to eliminate poverty, Community Action Partnership of Strafford County (CAPSC) also works to hold values of communication, collaboration, client-focus and accountability through all its local efforts. CAPSC remains the sole provider of a fleet of programs and services that are designed to promote the welfare of all people experiencing low incomes. CAPSC employs nearly 150 people across its locations in Dover, Farmington, Rochester, and Somersworth. More information can be found at straffordcap.org.
