← All step-by-step guides›Food and basics

Feeding a family with kids on a tight food budget

Use when a parent or caregiver is struggling to feed children on a small budget and wants free meal programs, benefits for kids, and cheap kid-friendly meal ideas.

In danger right now: call 911. Crisis or thoughts of suicide: call or text 988. Not sure where to start? Call the Silver City Gospel Mission: 575-388-5071. Police, fire or sheriff, not an emergency: 575-388-8840 (Central Dispatch). Print our list of phone numbers → · Food pantry calendar → · Free meals calendar → · Getting there: bus and rides →
These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
In this guide
  1. Listen first
  2. Free meals at school
  3. Benefits for kids
  4. Cheap meals kids like
  5. Fill the gaps

1Listen first

You can ask"How many children, and how old? Is anyone pregnant or nursing?"
You can ask"Do you get SNAP or WIC now? Are the kids in school?"
You can say"Feeding kids is expensive. Let's find every free program they qualify for, then make the grocery money stretch."
At the Gospel MissionThe whole family can eat breakfast and lunch at the soup kitchen on weekdays.

2Free meals at school

Nearly all New Mexico public schools give every student free breakfast and lunch. No application is needed. Ask the school to be sure.
Silver Consolidated Schools - Student Nutrition
Free school breakfast and lunch
(575) 956-2022
2570 N Silver St, Silver City · School days; office 7 am-4 pm
Website ↗
Cobre Consolidated School District
Free school meals (Bayard, Hurley, Santa Clara, Hanover schools)
(575) 537-4010
900 A Central Ave. (district office), Bayard · School days
Website ↗
Weekend food for kids:
The Commons Center for Food Security & Sustainability
Alimento Para Los Ninos weekend backpacks
575-388-2988
501 E. 13th St., Silver City · School year
Website ↗
At the Gospel MissionWeekend snack bags.
See the guide "A child needs school meals, supplies, or help staying in school".

3Benefits for kids

WIC is for pregnant women, new moms, babies and children under 5. It gives milk, eggs, cereal, beans, peanut butter, fruit, vegetables and formula.
NM Department of Health - WIC
WIC (Women, Infants and Children)
575-388-9353
2610 N. Silver St., Silver City · Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm
SNAP adds money for each person in the home. If a child was born or moved in, report it.
NM Health Care Authority - Income Support Division (Grant County office)
SNAP food benefits
1-800-283-4465
3088 32nd St Bypass, Suite A, Silver City · Lobby Mon-Fri 8:00 am-4:30 pm, closed 12:00-1:30 pm for lunch. Phone line (1-800-283-4465) Mon-Fri 7:00 am-6:30 pm.
Website ↗
SUN Bucks gives summer grocery money for school-age kids ($120 per child in 2026). Many kids get it automatically. Others must apply by the summer deadline.
NM Health Care Authority
SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) grocery money for kids
800-283-4465
Website ↗
In summer, kids eat free at summer meal sites.
Silver Consolidated Schools / Southwest Foodservice Excellence
Summer lunch program for kids
(575) 538-3672
515 W College Ave (Library); Gough Park at Pope and 12th, Silver City · Summer weekdays (2026: June 8-July 24); Gough Park 10:30-11:30, Library 10:45-11:45, Stout 10:30-noon
Website ↗
NM Early Childhood Education and Care Department
Summer Food Service Program site finder
(800) 328-2665
· Summer only (June-August)
Website ↗

4Cheap meals kids like

Bean and cheese burritos, quesadillas, rice and beans, spaghetti, pancakes, oatmeal with cinnamon, eggs and potatoes, homemade tortillas.
Buy big bags of beans, rice, oats and flour. See the guide "Wants to stock up on beans, rice, masa, flour, sugar, salt and oil".
Buy whole fruit (bananas, apples, oranges) instead of juice or snack packs.
Let kids help cook. They eat better when they help.
See the guide "Cheap breakfasts from staples: oatmeal, pancakes, eggs" and the guide "Cheap snacks and treats for kids".
See the guide "Wants their SNAP (food stamps) to last all month".

5Fill the gaps

At the Gospel MissionThe food pantry and the Thursday Morning Market.
The Commons Center for Food Security & Sustainability
Grant County Community Food Pantry
575-388-2988
501 E 13th St (green building at the front), Silver City · Tue, Wed, Thu 11 am-3 pm; also 1st Saturday of the month 10 am-noon
Website ↗

More help like this

Hungry today and needs food for the monthUse when someone is hungry now and also needs enough food for the rest of the month.Has special diet needs (diabetes, allergies, no teeth)Use when someone needs food that fits a health need: diabetes, food allergies, kidney or heart problems, soft food for missing teeth, or special baby formula.Someone is asking for money at your doorUse when a stranger knocks at your home or business asking for money, gas, food or a ride, and you want to stay safe, spot scams, and point them to real help.All food pantries in Grant County: places, days, times and what to bringUse when someone wants a list of every food pantry and free food distribution in Grant County, with where and when they are, who qualifies and what to bring.Wants to stock up on beans, rice, masa, flour, sugar, salt and oilUse when someone wants to buy basic staples (beans, rice, masa, flour, sugar, salt, oil) in bulk to save money and have food that lasts for months.Wants more fresh fruit and vegetables with SNAP (Double Up Food Bucks)Use when someone gets SNAP and wants more fresh fruit and vegetables. Double Up Food Bucks gives free extra money for New Mexico-grown produce at farmers markets.

See all guides in Food and basics →

This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer

Know a better way? Is something out of date?

If a number or place here is wrong, you know a better resource, or you know a better way to help, tell us. We automatically check reliable sources and update supported routine details. Unclear changes and safety guidance go to our staff for review.

📞 We need volunteers to keep this guide up to date. You can help from home, an hour a week. See how →
Print these steps · Find more places to get help · Hours and numbers change; please call ahead. Something wrong? Tell us
Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City, 575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.