Summer Summit bus
The Tennessee Department of Human Services will once again open the application process for organizations to participate in this year’s Summer Food Service Program on Friday, Feb. 1.
The goal of the SFSP is to ensure that children 18 and younger who benefit from meal programs during the school year continue to have that same access to nutritious meals during the summer.
The application process seeks out organizations, governmental entities, schools, religious entities, and non-profit residential camps who are interested in sponsoring the program and serving meals to children in their communities.
While the Department encourages sponsors in every county, this work is especially important in Bedford, Cheatham, Hickman, Humphreys, Moore, and Wayne Counties, which did not have sponsors last year. TDHS is hoping to change that this year with sponsors willing to serve those counties.
“Our goal is to establish a Summer Food Service Program partner for every county in Tennessee,” said TDHS Commissioner Danielle W. Barnes. “These partnerships are essential to building a thriving Tennessee because they ensure our children are eating healthy meals during the summer. Studies have found children do better in school if they have access to adequate nutrition during the summer break. This is where we can all come together to help.”
In addition to children of school age, adults 19 and older with a mental or physical disability are eligible to receive meals if they participate in a school program established for individuals with disabilities during the prior school year.
Organizations interested in becoming sponsors can learn more at the Summer Food Service Program Summer Summit:
Thursday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. CST
Tennessee State Guard Building
3401 Sidco Drive, Nashville
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-summer-summit-tickets-53867377777
Applications will be accepted until May 1. If your organization is interested in becoming an SFSP sponsor or becoming a feeding site under an existing sponsor, please contact the TDHS by e-mail at TNSFSP.DHS@tn.gov.
For more information on the Summer Food Service Program, please visit: http://tn.gov/humanservices/topic/learn-about-the-summer-food-service-program