Stanley and Gregory counties among those in South Dakota where Summer Food Service Program sponsors are being sought

Sponsorships are available statewide, with opportunities for new sponsors in the following counties:  Bennett, Bon Homme, Buffalo, Charles Mix, Custer, Gregory, McCook, Meade, Ogalala Lakota and Stanley.

The South Dakota Department of Education’s division of Child and Adult Nutrition Services is seeking sponsors for the Summer Food Service Program, which provides nutritious meals and snacks to children in low-income areas during the summer months.

Many South Dakota children receive free and reduced-price meals through the School Breakfast and National School Lunch Programs, but these programs are not available during the summer months when school is not in session. The Summer Food Service Program fills this gap by providing free, nutritious summer meals to children at approved sites in areas with high concentrations of low-income children.

Community organizations, nonprofits, schools, tribal governments, and local governments can apply to be sponsors if they operate in low-income areas, serve a group of mostly low-income children, or operate a summer camp with a high proportion of low-income participants. Parks and recreation departments, city and county health departments, libraries, and neighborhood service agencies can also participate as sites or sponsors.

Organizations interested in reviewing sponsor responsibilities and serving meals during summer 2024 are invited to use the SFSP pre-screen tool at https://ican.sd.gov/ican/PreScreen/PreScreenOverview.aspx. Please complete this questionnaire by Feb. 1, 2024. Once eligibility is determined, department staff will contact sponsors with more information.

To learn more about serving as a sponsor or site, call Child and Adult Nutrition Services at 605-773- 3413. For more information, please visit: https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/SFSP-Fact-Sheet.pdf.

The Summer Food Service Program is available at no charge for children ages 0-18 and to persons with disabilities over age 18 who participate in school programs for people who are mentally or physically disabled.