For Immediate Release:
February 1, 2007

Contact:
Nanci Gonder
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

State seeks local groups to help provide summer meals to needy children

Certain community groups and organizations will have the opportunity to help feed needy children in their service areas this summer, when school breakfast and lunch programs are not operating.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), Division of Community and Public Health, is seeking sponsors to operate meal service sites for its Summer Food Service Program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“It is important that children who depend on school lunch and breakfast are not forgotten during the summer months,” said Melanie Madore, associate chief of the DHSS Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance.

Last summer, 3.3 million free, nutritious meals were served to children in the state as a result of the program.  This figure represents only about 20 percent of the eligible children in Missouri, according to state records.

“Although the number is steadily growing, additional sponsors would help boost the number of Missouri children receiving and benefiting from nutritious meals and snacks this coming summer,” said Madore.

According to the health department, the Summer Food Service Program provides nutritious meals to needy children up to age 18 during the summer months.  The program is also available to people over 18 who are determined by a state educational agency to be mentally or physically disabled, and are enrolled in a school program for the mentally or physically disabled during the regular school year.

Meals and snacks provided by the Summer Food Service Program are served to children in places such as churches, schools, playgrounds, camps, migrant centers, YMCAs, YWCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs and parks.

Organizations that can apply to become program sponsors include:

• Public or private non-profit 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 non-profit organizations
• Public or private non-profit colleges and universities operating a 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 and sponsor or site eligibility is available at www.dhss.mo.gov/sfsp, by telephone at 888-435-1464 (toll free) or RELAY MISSOURI for the Hearing and Speech Impaired at 1-800-735-2966, or by writing 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, DHSS is prohibited from discriminating 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.