DECAL hosting information summit on Feb 25 to share information about becoming a Sponsor for the Summer Food Service Program
Clarissa Hayes from FRAC will keynote on Child Hunger in GA at the Summit
Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is looking for eligible organizations (called sponsors) to serve healthy meals to children when school is not in session through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).
Approved organizations receive partial reimbursement for serving meals that meet federal nutritional guidelines. “DECAL administers the Summer Food Service Program which last year served more than 4.8 million meals to Georgia’s children, said Nutrition Director Tamika Boone.
“We are proud of that accomplishment, but there’s more to do to ensure that the 500,000+ children in Georgia without access to nutritious food are fed in summer 2020.” Click here to see the child food insecurity rate by county. DECAL is a hosting an information summit on Tuesday, February 25, at Helms College in Macon, GA, for those that are interested in learning more about the program.
The FREE summit is themed, “Together, we can feed Georgia’s Hungry Children.” Clarissa Hayes, senior child nutrition policy analyst, with the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) will serve as the conference keynote speaker and will discuss Child Hunger in Georgia.
To participate in the SFSP, organizations must be nonprofit, which means units of government; private, nonprofit organizations; public or private nonprofit camps; public or private nonprofit universities or colleges; and schools may be eligible.
Sponsors operate SFSP sites in their communities where children receive meals and participate in recreational or enrichment activities. Meal sites may be located in places such as schools, community centers, parks, churches, playgrounds, migrant centers, homeless feeding sites, or summer camps.
Sponsors receive training and support relating to the application process; setting up and operating a successful SFSP; and nutrition education. They also receive technical assistance while the program is operating.
