To the editor:
In the midst of spring, it can be easy to forget those long, hot days of June, July and August. But now is the time to start 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 one in 10 of those kids (3 million) get free meals through federal summer feeding programs. Clearly, there is a gap that needs filling.
Enter U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program. Kids are at higher risk of going hungry during the summer months, and we are working to fill that void. The department alone, however, cannot accomplish the important work of feeding our low-income kids. You and your organizations have an important role to play.
Faith-based, community and private nonprofits are pivotal in the lives of needy children. And schools, churches, recreation centers, playgrounds, parks and camps are eligible and encouraged to serve summer meals in neighborhoods with a high percentage of low-income families. These locations, by their very nature, offer safe and familiar environments and are places children gather when school is out.
But feeding hungry young people requires commitment. Sponsors must provide a capable staff, managerial skills and food service capabilities. Sponsors may cook 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 that can work with you to feed the children in your community. And don’t forget to register your summer feeding sites for the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE.
The most successful summer programs offer activities for kids. Children are much more likely to come out for a meal when there is an activity to keep them there. It can include anything: sports, tutoring, arts and crafts, or other creative activities with community partners. Developing partnerships with community organizations often is the key to offering great activities.
To learn more about the summer food program or to participate in one of the Agriculture Department’s free webinar sessions on opportunities to provide summer meals, please visit www.summerfood.usda.gov. These helpful webinars will highlight the program, offer an understanding of how the program works, detail sponsor and site roles as well as responsibilities, and provide outreach tips and other resources.
Together we can continue to tackle childhood hunger and ensure kids receive the nutritious meals they need in summer — and throughout the year. We look forward to working with you to meet that goal.
– Kevin Concannon
U.S. Department of Agriculture under secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services
