Picnic & Play Returns for 2021 Summer Break

Picnic & Play Returns for 2021 Summer Schedule

New Information

We are excited to announce that flexibilities for our summer programs were extended by USDA on July 8th.  After preparing this past week, we are able to begin offering the following options through our summer program for the final three weeks of our program:

  • Children may now take their meal home with them and are no longer required to stay onsite to eat their meal.
  • Parents or guardians may pick up meals for children that are not present at our current established sites (Windfield West Apartments, Maple Grove Villas, and Sun Prairie Apartments).
  • Breakfast for the next morning will be packaged with the lunch meals and consist of a grain item, fruit, and milk.

Here are a couple of important items to note when you visit:

  • We will still continue to set up our in-person programming for those who want to stay since our wonderful programming partners have dedicated their time to us.  Here is the program calendar link so you can see what is coming up!
  • Families will still need to park and exit their vehicles to pick up meals for their children and participate in programming.
  • Our program will operate until August 5th.

We hope that these flexibilities granted to us offer some additional convenience for you as you consider visiting our sites over the remainder of the summer.  If you have any questions, contact Kaitlyn Scheuerman at kscheuermann@waukeeschools.org.

Previous Post

The Waukee Community Schools Nutrition Services Department will provide an opportunity for families to pick up free breakfast and lunch for children under the age of 18 once again this summer. The Picnic and Play meals program will run from June 7 through August 6. Friday’s meal pickup will include breakfast and lunch for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. To view the updated menu, click here.

In an effort to ease the burden on Iowa families and get food out to the students who need it at this critical time, the Iowa Department of Education has received a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that provides flexibility for schools and organizations distributing meals through the Summer Food Service Program during the COVID-19 outbreak. Meals will be served grab and go style and children do not have to be present when caregivers pick up meals. Waukee Community School District handed out 46,710 meals in the summer of 2020.

Meal locations

Windfield West Apartments
75 SE Windfield Pkwy, Waukee, by the tennis courts
Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Sun Prairie Apartments
6137 Vista Drive, West Des Moines
Parking lot behind the building nearest 60th street and Vista Drive
Enter at 6107 Vista Drive
Monday-Friday 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Waukee High School
555 SE University Avenue
Bus lane
Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Volunteers Needed

We need volunteers to help serve children and families. If you’re interested in volunteering for the Picnic & Play meal program, click here.

Take-Home Activities

For a look at the take-home activities available for pickup, click here.