It’s that time of year! It’s (unseasonably!) warmer, and kids all around Indiana are beginning to think about summer vacation. Except maybe the nearly 47% of Hoosier kids who receive free or reduced price meals through the National School Lunch Program–more than one million kids statewide. Where do they go to get a nutritious meal in the summer?
With help from sponsor organizations and the Indiana Department of Education, kids can receive free meals and snacks at locations in the community through the federal Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Last year, the SFSP provided over 2.8 million free meals and snacks to low-income Hoosier children with the help of more than 248 sponsors.
But there still are not enough cites to meet the needs across the state. There are no programs at all in 20 Indiana counties.
Do you work with a camp, a school, a park, organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs or YMCAs, local government or private non-profits? You can help!
The Indiana Department of Education will host training workshops for sponsors around the state. For additional information or to attend a workshop, please contact Marcia Yurczyk or Tina Skinner at the Indiana Department of Education. They can be reached by phone at 317-232-0852 or 317-232-0858, or emailed at myurczyk@doe.in.gov or tskinner@doe.in.gov. The application deadline to become a SFSP sponsor is the end of April.
