Sponsors sought to help feed keiki during the summer

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program is seeking sponsor organizations on all islands to help provide children in low-income communities with free meals during the summer months.

According to a press release from the Hawai‘i Department of Education, the program provides nutritious meals that help children to learn, play, and grow during the summer break when many schools are not in session.

Schools, public agencies, churches and private nonprofit organizations may apply to be Summer Food Service Program sponsors. Sponsoring organizations receive reimbursements for serving healthy meals and snacks at approved sites to children and teenagers, 18 years and younger.

Sponsors are encouraged to provide educational or recreational activities.

In the summer of 2024, meals were served at 120 locations throughout the state, including locations at public charter schools, nonprofit organizations, preschools, churches, parks, and housing facilities. The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education served meals free of charge at 73 school locations and alternative learning programs on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokai, Maui and the Big Island through its Seamless Summer Option program during the summer of 2024.

The Hawaiʻi Child Nutrition Programs will conduct virtual workshops for new and returning sponsors in March. Personnel responsible for administering the Summer Food Service Program will be required to attend.

For more information about the program, contact Shaynee Moreno at the Hawaiʻi Child Nutrition Programs at 808-587-3600 or via email at Shaynee.Moreno@k12.hi.us.