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Picnic in the Park (PIP) is a program hosted by the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County during summer break. The program provides free lunches to children (18 and under) countywide on Monday – Friday. Everyone is welcome, and there is no sign-up or registration process. For this year’s Picnic in the Park site locations, please see below!
For many children who receive free and reduced-price meals during the school year, summer means hunger.
Summer is an exciting time for children to enjoy playtime with friends, a week at camp, a family vacation or time at the pool. But for many children who receive free or reduced-price meals at school, summer means hunger.
Picnic in the Park (PIP) offers free, healthy meals and nutrition education opportunities to ensure that summer is fun for all kids in our county.
Who is Served
All children (18 and under) at locations throughout the county.
How the Program Works
The Foodbank provides nutritious meals to children in our county during the summer as part of the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Healthy summer meals are served at 12 locations countywide – Monday thru Friday – for 11 weeks.
There are no income requirements; any child is welcome to come and receive a free, delicious lunch every weekday this summer. We also offer activities, games and nutrition education at our sites throughout the summer.
There is no sign-up or registration process, and meals are served on a first-come, first-served basis.
Program Sites (Summer 2023)
South County:
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- Goleta Valley Community Center (June 12–Aug 18): 5679 Hollister Avenue, Goleta @ 11:15am–12:15pm
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- Casa De La Raza (June 12–Aug 18): 602 E. Montecito Street, Santa Barbara @ 12:30–1:30pm
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- Santa Barbara Public Library (Tuesday – Friday ONLY, June 12–Aug 18): 40 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara @ 11:30am–12:30pm
North County:
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- Guadalupe Court Apartments (June 12–Aug 4): 4206 11th Street, Guadalupe @ 11am–12pm
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- Creekside Apartments (June 12–Aug 4): 260 Gonzales Drive, Los Alamos @ 11am–12pm
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- Central Plaza Apartments (Monday – Thursday ONLY, June 12–Aug 4): 200 N. McClelland Street, Santa Maria @ 12–1pm
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- Evans Park (Monday – Thursday ONLY, June 12–Aug 4): 200 W. Williams Street, Santa Maria @ 11:30am–12:30pm
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- Grogan Park (June 12–Aug 4): 1155 W. Rancho Verde, Santa Maria @ 11:30am–12:30pm
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- Minami Park (June 12–Aug 4): 600 W. Enos Drive, Santa Maria @ 12–1pm
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- Santa Maria Boys & Girls Club (June 12–Aug 4): 901 N. Railroad Avenue @ 11:45am–12:45pm
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- Tunnell Park (June 12–Aug 4): 1100 N. Palisade Drive, Santa Maria @ 11am–12pm
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- Santa Ynez Elementary School (June 12–Aug 11): 3325 Pine Street, Santa Ynez @ 11:30am–12:30pm
Volunteers Needed!
Community volunteers manage and support individual park sites, hand out lunches, organize food literacy training and oversee summer games. Click here to get involved.