SALEM – Today Governor Ted Kulongoski called on communities throughout the state to sponsor a Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) so Oregon students can continue to get the nutrition they need during the summer months when they are not in school.
The Governor made this call to action at Parkrose High School in Portland at an event to kick-off Oregon Hunger Awareness Week – a week devoted to increasing awareness about hunger, educating about the root causes of hunger, and calling on all Oregonians to do their part to end hunger in their communities.
“Hunger isn’t just an urban or rural issue – it’s an Oregon issue – and we all have an obligation to do our part to ensure our children have access to the food they need to learn, play and grow,” Governor Kulongoski said. “Unlike school, hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation, which is why the Summer Food Service Program is such an important initiative in our fight against hunger.”
The SFSP was created to help provide full and balanced meals for children through age 18 who are eligible for free and reduced-priced breakfast and lunch during the summer months or long school vacations. Program sponsors are reimbursed for meals served to children from families with incomes at or below 185 percent of the Federal poverty level by the Unites States Department of Agriculture through the Oregon Department of Education. Approved sponsors in Oregon include school districts, local government agencies, camps, and private nonprofit organizations.
“We know it’s going to take us all partnering together to end hunger in Oregon, and we also know that the Summer Food Service Program is a strategy that will help us meet this goal,” the Governor said. “The proof that we can make a difference when we work together is right here in Multnomah County where in just one year, they have increased their participation in its program by 56 percent. I urge other communities to look at this model of success so we can continue to make progress in making sure our children and families don’t go hungry.”
During the 2003 legislative session, the Governor signed legislation to increase state support for the expansion of the Summer Food Service Program, and last year, the Governor partnered with the Oregon Congressional Delegation to include Oregon as among the 19 designated “Lugar Pilot Project” states as part of the federal 2004 Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act. As a Lugar Pilot state, administration of Oregon’s Summer Food Service Program will be more efficient and easier to administer, which will help further to expand program sponsors and serve more hungry children.
The Governor will participate in other Hunger Awareness Week activities in Keizer, Salem and Ontario. The Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force is celebrating its 16th year as a task force on Thursday, April 14 and will be at the State Capitol to educate legislators and the public about their blueprint to end hunger in Oregon.
For more information about the School Food Service Program, go to: www.ode.state.or.us/services/nutrition/sfsp or call: (503) 378-3600 Ext 2610
For more information about the Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force, go to:
www.oregonhunger.org or call: (503) 963-2292
Other events that the Governor will be participating in as part of Hunger Awareness Week Events include:
Monday, April 11
What: “Split Happens” Bowling Benefit for the Oregon Food Bank
When: 5:30 pm
Where: Town and Country Bowling Center
3500 River Rd., N. Keizer
Tuesday, April 12
What: Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening Marion-Polk Food Share
When: 2:00 pm
Where: Marion-Polk Food Share
1660 Salem Industrial Dr. NE, Salem
Wednesday, April 13
What: Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening of new warehouse for the Southeast Oregon Regional Food Bank and roundtable discussion of hunger issues facing southeast Oregon.
When: 3:15 pm
Where: Southeast Oregon Regional Food Bank
680 SE 13th Street, Ontario
Four Ways You Can Participate in the Summer Food Service Program or After School Meal & Snack Program
1 Become a Sponsor: Make an investment in the children in your community. If your organization already provides services to the community, and has capable staff and good management practices to run a food service, you can administer these programs. As a sponsor, you will:
attend the State agency’s training
locate eligible sites
complete an application
hire, train and supervise staff
arrange for meals to be prepared or delivered
monitor your sites
prepare claims for reimbursement
offer enrichment activities (required in after school meal & snack programs)
2 Run a Site: Some organizations do not have the financial or administrative ability to run the program, but they can supervise a food service for children, along with recreational or enrichment activities, at a site. If you supervise a site, you will:
attend your sponsor’s training
supervise activities and meal service at your site
distribute meals by following guidelines
keep daily records of meals served
store food appropriately
keep the site clean and sanitary
3 Be a Vendor: Organizations with kitchens and food service staff, including schools, commercial companies, or public or nonprofit institutions, can sell prepared meals under an agreement or a contract with an approved sponsor. As a vendor, you will:
meet appropriate health and sanitation standards
prepare meals meeting Federal nutritional guidelines
deliver meals on schedule
keep delivery records
fulfill the terms of the agreement or contract
4 Volunteer: If your organization cannot take on the responsibilities of a sponsor or a site, you can team up with a sponsor to provide enrichment activities, such as:
Arts and Crafts Tutoring Computers Cooking
Reading Athletics Gardening Music
The Summer Food Service Program operates during summer vacations. The After School Meal & Snack Program can operate all days during the school year and are required to have enrichment activities.
For more information contact the Oregon Department of Education Child Nutrition programs at (503) 378-3600 Ext 2610.
