Sites are needed for a federally-funded program that provides meals and snacks to children in low-income areas across Iowa during summer months. The Iowa Department of Education recently announced it is seeking sponsors for the USDA’s Summer food Service Program which provides nutritious meals during summer break to children under 18 and persons with mental or physical disabilities who participate in school programs.

Sites can be schools, churches, community centers, libraries, camps, and more. To qualify, the site must be in a low-income area where 50-percent or more of the children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals or must serve primarily low-income children and not duplicate services already provided by another organization.

According to the Iowa Department of Education, nearly 3-million meals and snacks are provided to children in Iowa over the summer through this program.

Organizations interested in establishing a site are encouraged to visit the Summer Food Service Program website, Summer Food Service Program webpage, visit the USDA Summer Food Service Program webpage, or contact Stephanie Dross at 515-281-4760 or stephanie.dross@iowa.gov.