AUSTIN - Federally funded school breakfasts and lunches help millions of low-income children in Texas get nutritious meals during the school year; but during the summer months, many children go without these meals. The Texas Department of Agriculture is looking for organizations to sponsor feeding sites to host the Summer Nutrition Programs, which provide free meals to children during the summer months when schools are closed.
"No child in Texas should ever go without a meal," Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said. "We are a state full of resources; we simply need to connect the resources with those who need them most. Texas is a leader in many things - child hunger should not be one of them. As Texans, we can and we must do better."
Texas currently leads the nation in food insecure children. As a result, Commissioner Staples created the Mayors Challenge, an initiative that challenges mayors across Texas to increase the number of children in their areas who participate in TDA's Summer Nutrition Programs. Last summer, with the help of the Mayors Challenge, 536 sponsors participated in the Summer Nutrition Programs serving more than 19 million meals to children at more than 4,300 sites.
"These programs are critical for Texans. During the summer, it is a safety net for children who rely on the National School Lunch Program for meals during the school year. Texas is the number one state in the nation for hungry children, so this program is more important now than ever before," said Sonia White with Central Dallas Ministries.
The Summer Nutrition Programs are offered statewide in areas or at sites where more than 50 percent of the children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program. Eligible sponsoring organizations include schools, nonprofit residential summer camps, government agencies and tax-exempt organizations. All feeding sites must be sponsored by an organization that has a contract with TDA.
TDA encourages any eligible organization to consider providing this much-needed service to Texas children. The agency will begin accepting applications on Feb. 16 to participate as a sponsor. Approved sponsors will be reimbursed for meals served to children during the summer break. All new and renewing sponsors are required to take training courses offered in several cities before participating in these programs. Training begins Feb. 25 and is open to all applicants.
For more information about TDA's nutrition programs or for an application, visit www.summerfood.org or call the Food and Nutrition Division office at (877) TEX-MEAL, (877) 839-6325. Applications are due by April 15.
In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this agency is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication and Compliance, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 260-1026, (866) 632-9992 (toll free), or (202) 401-0216 (TTD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
