Thinking of serving lunch at VBS this year? Check out these tasty menu ideas and planning tips from a church in Walpole, Massachusetts.

It’s an often-heard comment after a fun-filled morning at VBS. Kids say it to their grown-ups, and VBS volunteers say it to themselves as they organize nametags and tidy up for the next day. “I’m hungry!” then, “What’s for lunch?”

Did you know that approximately 21 million children participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National School Lunch Program? This program is the nation’s second largest food and nutrition assistance program behind SNAP. According to USAFacts, nearly three-quarters of lunches served at nearly 100,000 public or nonprofit private schools were free or discounted.

With this information in mind, it’s likely that families in your church and community may appreciate a little extra lunch support when school’s out for the summer. Plus, for busy (and weary) volunteers and their families, a nourishing meal after VBS each day is a welcome blessing.

Perhaps your church sees VBS lunch as an opportunity to bless kids and their grown-ups, but you aren’t quite sure where to start. Consider this advice from veteran VBS director, Gerrilynn Petersen. She and her husband, Winston, serve in full-time pastoral ministry at All Nations Worship Center in Walpole, Massachusetts. Gerrilynn says, “Children’s ministry has been an especially meaningful part of my years of service. I have been involved with Vacation Bible School for many years and have greatly enjoyed creating environments where children can experience the love of Jesus in ways that are engaging, memorable, and meaningful.”

Gerrilynn offers three tips for churches who wish to start or freshen up their VBS lunch ministry:

Tip #1: Invite people to VBS lunch right away.

At Gerrilynn’s church, lunch after VBS is offered to everyone—not only VBS kids, but also their parents or guardians, their siblings, and the church’s entire VBS volunteer team. Church leaders communicate that lunch is available when families register and when volunteers sign up to serve. Gerrilynn says, “Not everyone does [stay for lunch], of course, but many families choose to join us. That extra time together, seated at tables indoors and outdoors, has become a wonderful extension of the VBS day.”

This VBS extension brings people together. Gerrilynn notes, “We extended the invitation to parents, guardians, and siblings because we wanted to build relationships with the whole family rather than simply becoming a ‘drop-off and pick-up’ location for their children. Sharing a meal gives us time to slow down, sit together, talk, and genuinely get to know the families we are serving. Those conversations give us opportunities to learn more about them, share other things happening at the church, and invite them to become part of our church community beyond VBS week.”

Tip #2: Plan a family-friendly lunch menu.

When asked about their lunch menu, Gerrilynn’s church serves all kinds of meals. Some of the easiest and most popular have been…

• hot dogs and chips,
• chicken salad sandwiches or wraps,
• pasta with a choice of red sauce, meat sauce, or alfredo,
• macaroni and cheese,
• pizza,
• barbecue pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw, and
• the all-time favorite…burrito bowls with rice, beans, shredded meat or chicken, fresh vegetables, and salsa.

They always include vegetables with meals, along with fruit or a dessert. And water and lemonade provide a refreshing drink.

Tip #3: Welcome community donations.

Gerrilyn says, “We have also been tremendously blessed by our local community. At times, restaurants have donated complete meals or provided food that our team can prepare and serve.”

Chick-fil-A and Texas Roadhouse have been especially generous to the church over the years, as well as local restaurants. Gerrilynn reflects on how God provided for their church as they fed families in their community. “It is always incredible to see how God provides. In 2026 again, we had more food than we could serve in one week. We served an average of approximately 200 lunches each day, in addition to providing daily snacks for at least 150 VBS participants and volunteers.”

VBS lunches produce “fruit.”

Gerrilynn’s church serves physical fruit with lunch—yum! And they see a harvest of spiritual fruit from this “extra” addition to VBS, too. As she reflects on the good things that have come from VBS lunches, Gerrilynn says, “We have seen relationships grow among the children as well. Lunchtime gives them some unstructured time to sit with their new friends, talk, laugh, and simply enjoy being together. The friendships and connections that begin during the VBS program often become stronger around the lunch table.

“Perhaps the greatest fruit has been the sense of community that develops. The meal is a simple thing, but it creates space for relationships to form—with children, parents, volunteers, and families—and helps us communicate that our desire is not simply to provide a great week of VBS, but to know, love, and serve the families God brings through our doors.”

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Looking for more food-related outreach ideas for your church? Check out “Food Ministry: 3 Nourishing Outreach Ideas for Churches.” Plus consider these “5 Food-Related Assumptions to Avoid in Children’s Ministry.”