In the spring, it can be easy to forget those long, hot days of June, July and August. Even so, now is the time to start applying and planning to feed hungry children when the school year ends.
More than 21 million children in the country receive free and reduced-price meals during the school year, but when summer rolls around, only about 1 in 10 of those kids (3 million) get free meals through federal summer feeding programs.
The USDA is working to fill that void with its Summer Food Service Program. Community organizations have an important role to play. Schools, churches, recreation centers, playgrounds, parks and camps are all eligible and encouraged to serve summer meals in neighborhoods with a high percentage of low-income families.
Sponsors must provide a capable staff, managerial skills and food service capabilities. Sponsors may provide their own meals, purchase meals through an agreement with an area school, or contract for meals with a food vendor.
If you don’t want to be a sponsor but still want to be involved, your organization can be a summer feeding site. There are sponsors in your area who can work with you to feed the children in your community.
Children are much more likely to come out for a meal when there is an activity. It can include anything from sports, tutoring and arts and crafts, to other creative activities with community partners.
To learn more about the Summer Food Service Program or to participate in one of USDA’s free webinar sessions on opportunities to provide summer meals, visit www.summerfood.usda.gov.
If you do get involved, then register your summer feeding sites for the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-Hungry or 1-877-8-HAMBRE.
Kevin Concannon is Under Secretary for USDA Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services.