Karla Denny, Director of Communications (785) 296-4876
Sponsors Needed for Summer Food Service Program
TOPEKA, January 28, 2008 / Are there children in your community who will go hungry this summer? The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) can help fill that hunger gap by assisting organizations that provide summer education and recreational programs to participating children.
SFSP sponsors receive payments for serving healthy meals to children between ages one and 18 years at approved sites in needy areas. Schools, public agencies, and private nonprofit organizations may apply to receive reimbursement for food service to enhance their education or recreation program.
The SFSP is administered in Kansas through the Kansas State Department of Education. The program was created to ensure that during long school vacations, children would continue to receive the same nutritious meals they received during the school year. Approximately 325,000 lunches are served to children each day in Kansas during the school year. About 27,000 children statewide receive the free meals each day provided by SFSP sponsors during the summer months.
SFSP meals complement supervised activities that are safe, fun, and filled with learning opportunities. Children benefit nutritionally by receiving complete, wholesome meals and parents benefit from help in stretching their food dollars. The program also encourages communities to provide secure places for children to go to be with other children and caring adults. As a result, parents know their children are receiving healthy meals in a supportive environment.
Just as learning does not end when school lets out, neither does the need for good nutrition. Children who receive healthy meals consistently learn better, behave better, and feel better. The SFSP helps children get the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow throughout the summer months they are out of school.
Can SFSP succeed in your community? Organizations interested in serving nutritious meals to children through a summer program should contact Dot Smith or Peggy McAdoo at Child Nutrition and Wellness, KSDE, (785) 296-2276, to learn more about the SFSP.
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