May 29, 2007

LANSING - Thousands of children across Michigan will receive free meals during their summer vacation through the vital Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). June 3-9 is Summer Food Service Week, as proclaimed by the Michigan State Board of Education.

Michigan’s Summer Food Service Week coincides with national Hunger Awareness Day on June 5. Hunger Awareness Day brings national attention to the plight of hunger in America and the important work of America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network.

During the school year, some 645,000 low-income children in Michigan depend on the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs to provide them with free or reduced-price meals. The SFSP ensures that as schools let out for the summer each year, children in low-income communities continue to receive nutritious meals.

This federal program was created to provide nutritious midday meals to children at sites where they traditionally gather during summer vacation. The Michigan Department of Education has been working actively and successfully to increase the number of eligible schools, community and faith-based organizations, camps, and other sponsors who offer the program to their communities.

In recognition of the important efforts of organizations sponsoring summer meals programs, to heighten public awareness of the benefits of summer meals for at risk communities, and to encourage additional eligible sponsors to participate, communities are called upon to recognize the important achievements of schools and organizations that sponsor summer meal programs and to ensure that children and their parents are aware of this benefit.

Go to www.michigan.gov/sfsp (Summer Food Directory) to find a sponsor in your area. Sponsors will indicate where free meal sites are located (schools, churches, parks) and when their programs will begin.