Sponsors Needed to Serve Meals to Hungry Children in Summer 2020

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DECAL Hosting Information Summit on February 25
Clarissa Hayes of FRAC will Keynote on Child Hunger in Georgia

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 DECAL Nutrition Services Director Tamika Boone. “We’re 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.”

DECAL is a hosting an information summit on Tuesday, February 25, at Helms College in Macon, GA, for those 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 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.

For more information, about the SFSP or the Summit, contact Cindy Kicklighter, DECAL Marketing & Outreach manager, at cindy.kicklighter@decal.ga.gov or at 404-656-3221.

For more information on becoming an SFSP sponsor, go to decal.ga.gov/SFSP/BecomingASponsor.aspx, contact the SFSP team toll free at 1-855- 550-SFSP (7377), or send an e-mail at SFSP@decal.ga.gov.

In accordance with federal law and USDA policy, DECAL is an equal opportunity provider and is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

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, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by 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 USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 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 DiscriminationComplaint Form (AD-3027) at ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  • mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
  • fax: 202-690-7442; or
  • email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Contact:
Reg Griffin
DECAL Communications Director
404-656-0239
reg.griffin@decal.ga.gov

Bill Valladares
GaFCP Communications Director
404-739-0043
william@gafcp.org

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Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia’s children and their families. It administers the nationally recognized Georgia’s Pre-K Program, licenses child care centers and home-based child care, administers Georgia’s Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program, federal nutrition programs, and manages Quality Rated, Georgia’s community powered child care rating system. The department also houses the Head Start State Collaboration Office, distributes federal funding to enhance the quality and availability of child care, and works collaboratively with Georgia child care resource and referral agencies and organizations throughout the state to enhance early care and education.

Georgia Family Connection Partnership (GaFCP) is a public-private partnership created by the State of Georgia and investors from the private sector to assist communities in addressing the serious challenges facing children and families. GaFCP also serves as a resource to state agencies across Georgia that work to improve the conditions of children and families. Georgia KIDS COUNT provides policymakers and citizens with current data they need to make informed decisions regarding priorities, services, and resources that impact Georgia’s children, youth, families, and communities.