(Washington, DC) The District of Columbia’s Free Summer Meals Program (FSMP) administered by the State Education Office (SEO), Nutrition Services Department, is currently recruiting organizations that would like to become sponsors and sites for Summer 2006.  The deadline for submitting sponsor applications for this program is Friday, May 12, 2006 and sites can enroll through July.

The FSMP reimburses organizations that provide meals during the summer to District children from low-income areas or to people with disabilities.  Eligible organizations include public or private nonprofit school food authorities, faith and community based organizations, housing authorities and other units of local or municipal governments, and public or private nonprofit day or overnight summer camps.  In accordance with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines, organizations may be reimbursed for serving up to two meals per day to eligible children 18 years old or younger.

While learning does not end when school lets out, neither does the need for good nutrition.
The DC Free Summer Meals Program will provide good, nutritious food that’s “in” when school is “out.”  It was created to ensure that children in low-income areas could continue to receive nutritious meals during long school vacations, when they do not have access to school lunch or breakfast.

All children participating in the program are served meals free of charge, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, family responsibilities, political affiliation, disability, source of income, or place of residence or business.

Further information about State Education Office (SEO) programs is available on the SEO website at http://seo.dc.gov. Those interested in receiving additional information or an application for the DC Free Summer Meals Program are encouraged to write or call:

State Education Office (SEO)
DC Free Summer Meals Program
441 4th Street, NW Suite 350N
Washington, DC  20001
Attn: George Ferguson

For further information, call (202) 724-7864