Media Contact: Fred Lewis, [email protected]; (202) 412-2167
The District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) announces the availability of federal funds to assist sponsors and their meal sites in participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), known locally as the DC Free Summer Meals Program (FSMP). The 2017 FSMP application period is Feb. 1 through May 5, 2017. Qualifying organizations may apply to serve as sponsors through June 15.
The FSMP reimburses sponsoring organizations in the District of Columbia that provide nutritious meals in economically disadvantaged areas during the summer months to children age 18 and younger and people age 18 and older who are determined by a state or a local public educational agency of a state to be mentally or physically handicapped and who participate in a public or nonprofit private school program established for the mentally or physically handicapped. Eligible applicants must be a 501c3 tax exempt organizations, such as public and private nonprofit community-based organizations, school food authorities, faith-based organizations, housing authorities and units of local and federal government. Public or private nonprofit day or overnight summer camps may participate as well. A for-profit organization may not apply as a sponsor in the program, but may be eligible to participate as a site. The official program dates are Monday, June 19 through Friday, Aug. 25, 2017. Meal site operation dates, days and times vary by location, therefore beginning in mid-June you may call 1-866-3-HUNGRY or Text “FOOD” to 877-877 to find open meal sites participating in the DC Free Summer Meals Program. Site information is updated on a weekly basis.
The DC Free Summer Meals Program was created as a safeguard for children in under-served, low-income areas of the District of Columbia to ensure continued access to adequate nutrition during the long summer vacation when access to school breakfast and lunch meals are unavailable. In accordance with the USDA guidelines, organizations may be reimbursed for serving up to three eligible meals per day at approved locations. Organizations may provide meals in the evenings, during the weekends and on holidays as well. The health and wellbeing of children in the District is important; therefore access to nutritious meals should not end when school is out.
All participants in this program are served meals free of charge and are protected under the federal and the District of Columbia protected classes.
For more information or an application to participate in the DC Free Summer Meals Program, please visit http://dcsummermeals.dc.gov or contact:
Elisabeth Sweeting, Program Coordinator
DC Free Summer Meals Program
Division of Health and Wellness
Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Office: (202) 724-7628 or Cell (202) 368-3009
Email: [email protected]