Summer Food Service Program In Need of Partners In Six Counties

NASHVILLE – Next month the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) will open the application process for organizations that want to sponsor the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

SFSP’s goal is to ensure 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 break. 

The application process is designed to seek out organizations, government entities, schools, religious entities, and non-profit camps that want to sponsor the program and oversee sites that serve meals to children.

TDHS’ goal is to ensure that no child goes hungry this summer by finding program sponsors in all 95 counties. Finding sponsors is especially important in Hickman, Perry, Wayne, Giles, Smith and Meigs Counties as those counties did not have sponsors last year. TDHS is hoping to change that beginning February the 1^st when the application process officially opens.

“Partnerships mean everything with the Summer Food Service Program.” said TDHS Commissioner Danielle W. Barnes.  “Our sponsors are the link that help provide 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 school age children, those who are 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.

Applications will be accepted until May 1, 2018.   If your organization is interested in sponsoring the SFSP 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: http://tn.gov/humanservices/topic/learn-about-the-summer-food-service-program

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.   

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CONTACT:  Sky Arnold

OFFICE:  615-313-5551

CELL: 615-450-4107