2009 DC Free Summer Meals Program
To locate a DC Free Summer Meal Program in your area, select the link below and follow the instructions on the search page:DC Summer Meal Program Locations**
This summer, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) once again will operate the DC Free Summer Meals Program in partnership with local sponsors of sites in schools, recreation centers, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and camps. The purpose of this program is to provide free, nutritious meals and snacks to children 18 and younger throughout the summer months when they are out of school. These meals are essential to the physical and mental development of children living in low-income areas (i.e. areas in which 50 percent or more children receive free and reduce priced meals during the school year). Select the link below for more information on OSSE's Free Summer Meals Program:
DC Free Summer Meals Program Frequently Asked QuestionsThe site locations that participate in the DC Free Summer Meals Program not only ensure that the children are receiving meals that address daily nutritional needs, but also provide supervised activities that are safe, fun, and filled with quality learning experiences. Some of these activities include arts and crafts, tutoring, mentoring, drama, sports, computer training, music, gardening, reading programs, and cooking. OSSE is currently recruiting organizations to become sponsors or sites for the 2009 Free Summer Meals Program. The deadline is May 15, 2009, for sponsor applications; sites may apply through August. Select the link below to apply:
Become a Sponsor or Site for the 2009 DC Free Summer Meals Program
One of the greatest benefits of the program is that District of Columbia children will not have to travel far distances to attend one of our summer food locations. In many instances, children will have the luxury of attending sites that are already located in their communities. These sites, as mentioned above, consist of District of Columbia private and public schools, camps, recreation centers, faith-based, and community-based organizations.
We strongly encourage you to support the 2009 DC Free Summer Meals Program. As a city, we want to ensure that all children in the District of Columbia have access to healthy meals this summer. You can support our summer food service program efforts by getting program and site information out to all eligible children and parents and by volunteering. Many of our summer food service locations have organized, well-run activities that will keep the interest of the children and teens and have them coming back to the site day after day.
If you would like to participate in the DC Free Summer Meals Program as a sponsor or site, please call (202) 654-6116, or visit the Office of the State Superintendent of Education's Nutrition Services website.
**Note: Locations will be published in May 2009.