Tennessee Department of Human Services will open the application period for organizations to provide meals to children.
The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) will open the application process for organizations to participate in this year’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) on Thursday, February 1, 2018.
The goal of SFSP is to ensure that children 18 and younger who benefit from free and reduced meals during the school year continue to have that same access to nutritious meals during the summer.
The application process is designed to seek out organizations, government entities, schools, religious entities, and non-profit residential camps who are interested in sponsoring the program and serving meals to children in their communities.
“Partnerships are essential to the success of the Summer Food Service Program.” said TDHS Commissioner Danielle W. Barnes. “Our sponsors help us build thriving communities by providing food to children who need it. Building a thriving Tennessee starts with ensuring that children are getting the nutrition that they need throughout the year, especially during the summer months.”
In addition to children of school age, adults 19 and older with a mental or physical disability are eligible to receive meals if they participate in a school program established for individuals with disabilities during the prior school year.
Organizations interested in becoming sponsors can learn more at the Summer Food Service Program Summer Summit:
- January 25th from 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM CST;
- Tennessee State University, 3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard;
- Farrell-Westbrook Agricultural Complex Auditorium.
Applications will be accepted until May 1, 2018. If your organization is interested in becoming an SFSP sponsor or becoming a feeding site under an existing sponsor, please contact the TDHS by e-mail at TNSFSP.DHS@tn.gov.
For more information on the Summer Food Service Program, please visit: https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/children/dhs-nutrition-programs/learn-about-the-summer-food-service-program.html
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Learn more about the Tennessee Department of Human Services at www.tn.gov/humanservices.
