CHEYENNE – In an effort to head off hunger and poor nutrition across the state, the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) seeks sponsors for the Summer Food Service Program. This is a federally funded program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that provides nutritious meals and snacks to children in low-income areas during the summer months.
While sponsors are needed across the state, Powell and Sheridan are in need of additional sponsors.
Sponsors may include public and private nonprofit schools; local and municipal sites; houses of worship; county, tribal and state government entities; private nonprofit organizations; public and private nonprofit camps; and public and private nonprofit universities or colleges.
Summer food program sites must either be in the attendance area of a school where 50 percent or more of students are eligible for free and reduced-price meals, or within the boundaries of a U.S. Census block where at least 50 percent of children are eligible for free and reduced-price meals at school. Once those criteria are met, the site is open to all area children under age 18. The WDE may assist sponsors in obtaining information about possible sites.
Last year, Wyoming summer food service program sites provided 296,071 meals and snacks, which is nearly 60,000 additional meals over the previous summer. Sponsors are reimbursed a set amount for each meal served. More information is available on the WDE website.
The USDA is an equal opportunity provider.
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Media Contact:
Michelle Panos, Communications Director
michelle.panos1@wyo.gov
307-777-2053
