Summer Meals News

May 24, 2012   It's Time for Sponsors to Turn in Their Summer Meals Application    Summer meal sponsors are finalizing their plans for this summer's programs and need to turn in their application to OSPI as soon as possible.  Getting applications in now helps OSPI  approve summer meal sites before school lets out and helps us spread the word to families about where to go this summer. For questions about the application, contact Donna Vincent (360-725-6202)   Plan Summer Meals Outreach to Feed More Kids in Your Community   Whether you are a sponsor, meal site or community organization, you can help families learn where kids can eat this Summer.  Consider these outreach strategies to promote Summer Meals:   While school is still in session Publish meal sites on the school menu Send a Summer Meals flyer home with kids Post Summer Meals on the school sign/readerboard Work with your local school to set up automated calls to families over the summer publicizing local meal sites or directing them to call the statewide Family Food Hotline for local site information After school is out Contact the media to help spread the word (newspapers/community blogs/radio/tv) Ask community partners to promote Summer Meals in their place of business at public events, in newsletters and on their websites Make sure banners and signs are easily visible from the street and clearly mark your local summer meal sites Review 47 Ways to Promote the Summer Meals Program in your community Check out more "outreach ideas" on the Summer Meals Toolkit Order Free Summer Meals Outreach Materials   WithinReach is a statewide non-profit organization that connects Washington families to food and health resources.  They offer free materials in English and Spanish to promote the Summer Meals program in your community. Order free materials online Call the Family Food Hotline 1-888-4-FOOD-WA to order outreach materials For more information, contact Sue Waldin (206-830-7646) It's not to late to apply for United Way of King County Summer Meal Grants   Grants for sponsors are still available to expand summer meal programs in King County (non-King County programs are not eligible to apply). Funds can be used for equipment, staff and outreach.   Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until June 15th United Way of King County Grant Application For more information, contact Lauren McGowan 206-461-6973   Summer Meals Resource Toolkit   The online toolkit offers information and resources to help schools and community-based organizations start or strengthen a summer meals program with links to grants, forms, outreach materials and more. Check out the Summer Meals Toolkit     The WA Summer Meals Partnership sends periodic newsletters to keep statewide partners up-to-date on the latest information about the Summer Meals Program.  http://www.icontact-archive.com/C9ZecoQL5yw3xrxuUf8TXjcfob7xzxSy?w=4