The South Carolina Department of Education’s Office of Health and Nutrition is offering an excellent opportunity for local government agencies, school districts, faith-based and private nonprofit organizations to provide summer meals to children by becoming a sponsor or a summer meal site for our Summer Meals Program. This program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the South Carolina Department of Education to serve healthy meals to children during the summer months when school is not in session.

“Summertime is a time to play, but it is also a time to remember to eat right. Through our summer meals program, we again provided approximately four million meals to students in need,” said South Carolina State Superintendent Molly Spearman.  In addition to nutritious meals, many of the summer meal sites provide learning enrichment programs and activities that assist with the decrease in the academic slide that are experienced by many students during the summer months.  “We could not have done it without the many partners that joined in with us to serve as sponsors and meal sites. As we prepare for this summer’s program, we are looking for more sponsors and meal sites to help us increase the number of children we serve.  We are excited about the possibility of expanding collaboration opportunities as we get ready for another successful summer for our children,” said Spearman.

“Summertime brings a break from school, but the need for good nutrition and learning does not take a break,” said Ron Jones, Director of the Office of Health and Nutrition. “Unfortunately, during the summer break many children aren’t receiving the important nutrition assistance normally found in free and reduced price meals that they receive during the school year. This program is designed to fill the nutritional gap experienced by many children during the summer.”

“Although there were millions of meals served to children last year, there are still far too many children that need to be served,” said Jones. “We cannot do it alone, we need more eligible organizations willing to serve as sponsors or sites in their communities.” Sponsors can operate the program and feed students at various sites such as schools, churches, recreation centers, hospital cafeterias, farmer’s markets, community and migrant centers, and other areas in the local community. 

Sponsors receive training and support relating to the application process; setting up and operating a successful program; and nutrition education.  They also receive technical assistance while the program is operating.  To learn more about how you can become involved, visit our Web page (http://www.ed.sc.gov/districts-schools/health-and-nutrition/usda-summer-food-program) or email summerfood@ed.sc.gov.

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In accordance with Federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by the USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact the USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 1 (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to the USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.  To request a copy of the complaint form, call 1 (866) 632-9992.  Submit your completed form or letter to the USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.