The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is looking for non-profit organizations throughout the state to help feed thousands of children who would otherwise have no access to healthy meals during the summer months and during times of public emergencies, when children do not have access to free or reduced-price meals at school. Congregate feeding sites and rural non-congregate feeding sites are needed throughout Missouri this year.
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) reimburses organizations for meals they serve to children under the age of 18 who are at risk of not having enough to eat during the summer months. The program is one of the ways Missouri is working to fight childhood hunger. Organizations that choose to sponsor the SFSP will help ensure that children in underserved areas of the state continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. With the addition of the Rural Non-Congregate Option, counties that are in rural areas that have previously been unable to operate a congregate site, due to the lack of transportation for children, could potentially be able to operate a non-congregate site.
Organizations eligible to participate in the program as sponsors include non-profit organizations such as schools, faith-based organizations, camps, private nonprofit agencies and local government entities. The sites qualify if they are in areas where at least half of the children are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals.
The federally funded program is administered by DHSS. The department will accept applications from new non-profit organizations March 1 through May 15 to participate in the program. Organizations interested in serving nutritious meals to children through the summer are requested to apply. Training in the requirements for the program will be provided.
More information about the Summer Food Service Program is available online at www.health.mo.gov/sfsp or by telephone at 888-435-1464 (toll-free). Hearing and speech-impaired citizens can dial 711.
Community organizations that would like to become sponsors may also email the Summer Food Service Program at sfsp@health.mo.gov or write to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Summer Food Service Program, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102 for more information.
