September 12, 2016
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) is seeking sponsors to operate the 2017 Summer Food Service Program in counties across the state. This program is administered by the MDE Office of Child Nutrition.
The Summer Food Service Program provides nutritious meals to children without regard to race, color, national origin, age (within statutory limits), sex, or disability during summer school vacation periods. In most areas, the program operates from June through August. Meals and snacks are served to children in places such as schools, playgrounds, and parks.
Public or private nonprofit schools, units of local, municipal, county or state government, and public or private nonprofit organizations may qualify as sponsors of the Summer Food Service Program. Residential summer camps with enrollment including needy children may also act as program sponsors. Qualified sponsors will receive the maximum “meals time rates” for operating and administrative reimbursements.
To be eligible, sponsors must: (1) show they are financially and administratively capable of operating the program; (2) provide continuing service to the community; and (3) serve meals on a regular schedule to children or provide meals as part of an organized program for enrolled children at camps.
Training for new sponsors will take place in Jackson on February 1, 2017 for churches, government entities and non-profit organizations. Potential sponsors should immediately contact Cherron Woodard or Tina Thomas at the MDE Office of Child Nutrition, P.O. Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205; phone: 601-576-4954 or 601-576- 4955; e-mail: ccwoodard@mdek12.org or tthomas@mdek12.org.
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Communications Specialist
601-359-3519