Search Articles:

 

Breaking News......... Authorities ID victim of Flathead boating crash......... Bike trail renovation completed in Great Falls......... Judge to hear arguments in southeastern MT water quality case......... Billings man killed by holiday lightning strike......... Local News......... 8-year-old Missoula girl electrocuted on 4th; Man dies in Flathead boating accident........Missoula may require bear-proof containers in vulnerable areas........Rattlesnake residents upset by cost of connecting to sewer........Departing doctors: State faces shortage of primary-care physicians........Departing doctors: Physicians may face legal hurdles if they leave hospitals........Primary-care physician losses minimal in Billings........

HELENA - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Linda McCulloch Wednesday announced that the Simplified Summer Food Program has been expanded to Montana and will provide federal funds to schools and community organizations that provide meals and snacks to low income children during summer months.

This program was previously only available in select states but has recently been expanded nationwide and provides an opportunity to increase the number of children receiving healthy food during the summer.

"This program is a great opportunity for communities to get creative," said McCulloch. "Summer food programs work well at camps, park programs, swimming pools activities, summer school and anywhere else kids get together."

The SSFP removes complicated accounting rules previously required through the Summer Food Service Program, dramatically cutting paperwork and providing sponsors with the full federal reimbursement for each meal they serve.

Schools, local government agencies such as parks and recreation departments, and private nonprofits, such as YMCAs and Boys and Girls Clubs, can participate in the program.

To qualify, a site must either be located in an area where 50 percent or more of the children are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals, or where at least half of the children enrolled in the program are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.

Organizations that would like to sponsor or participate in the Summer Food Service Program should contact the Office of Public Instruction School Nutrition Programs at P.O. Box 202501, Helena, MT 59620 or telephone -406-444-2521 or 406-444-2501.

The deadline for new sponsors to apply is May 19.

---

---

Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)

---