Summer Meals - Getting ready for 2013

May 7, 2013 It's Time for Sponsors to Turn in Their Summer Meals Application  As sponsors put together their applications, they should talk to local partners to learn where new sites might feed kids all summer long.   Consider low-income housing organizations, YMCA/YWCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, Parks and Rec. programs and other places kids frequent in the summer. For questions about the application, contact Donna Vincent (360-725-6202) Consult County Fact Sheets to qualify summer meal sites using eligible schools Use the FRAC Mapper to qualify summer meal sites with census data 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. Make-Up Sponsor Training May 23 is the last opportunity for new or returning sponsors to participate in OSPI’s required training.  This make-up session will be held at OSPI Annex in Olympia.  Details are below:   Date:  May 23, 2013 Place:  OSPI Annex (234 8th Avenue, Olympia) New Sponsors:  9am-5pm Returning Sponsors:   1pm-5pm Sponsors MUST confirm participation in this training withDonna Vincent (360-725-6202) FRAC Conference Calls to support successful Summer Meals programs Take advantage of these conference calls from the Food Research Action Center: May 15th: 10:00am  “Nutrition Quality”  (FRAC Afterschool Meals Matter conference call) This call can help you improve food quality for Summer Meals too!  Food will draw children into your program and high-quality food can ensure that children continue to come. Learn strategies for communicating with vendors, serving culturally appropriate meals and other steps to offering healthy high-quality meals. Click here to register June 3: 10:00am  “Summer Meals Awareness Week & Communications Strategies” June 10 will be the start of the third annual Summer Food Service Program Awareness week. Discuss ways to celebrate and promote summer meals and share strategies to maintain high attendance at summer meal programs.   Click here to register   Summer Meals Outreach Ideas Whether you are a sponsor, meal site or community organization, you can help families learn where kids can eat this Summer.  Review these resources to develop summer meals outreach strategies for your community: Sodexo Foundation Summer Meals Outreach Toolkit USDA Summer Meals Outreach Toolkit 47 Ways to Promote Summer Meal Programs More outreach ideas 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/C9ZecoQL5yw3xrxuUf8TXi9j4P-OQyXq?w=4