Tight Economy Emphasizes Need for Summer Food Service Program - Federal Monies Will Fund Important Feeding Program

Current economic conditions will make a program that feeds needy children during the summer even more important this year, state health officials say.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services will soon start accepting applications for groups to participate in the Summer Food Service Program. The program uses federal funds to provide free meals to low-income children under age 18 during the summer when school breakfast and lunch programs are not operating.

“Just as learning does not stop during the summer time, neither does the need for children to have nutritious meals,” said Susan White, assistant chief of the health department’s Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance. “This program provides a vital nutrition link between the end of one school year and the beginning of the next.”

The program is overseen by state health officials and operated by faith-based organizations, schools, parks and recreation groups, migrant organizations and other agencies. Last summer, 264 sponsors served more than 4.1 million free, nutritious meals to Missouri children at 880 sites throughout the state. 

White said children get complete, wholesome meals, and parents are able to stretch their food dollars. Local agencies interested in contracting to provide the meals can submit applications to the state health department from March 1 through May 15.

 Organizations that can apply to become program sponsors include:

Public or private nonprofit schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program during the regular school year
Residential summer camps
Units of local, municipal, county or state government
Private nonprofit organizations
Public or private nonprofit colleges and universities operating an Upward Bound or National Youth Sports Program
 
Sponsors are reimbursed on a per-meal basis and can apply in advance for set-up funds. 

More information about the Summer Food Service Program is available on the Web at www.dhss.mo.gov/sfsp, by telephone at 888-435-1464 (toll-free) or through RELAY MISSOURI for the Hearing and Speech Impaired at 1-800-735-2966.  Potential sponsors may also write to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Summer Food Service Program, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, the Department of Health and Senior Services does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.  To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC, 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.