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For immediate release
Oct. 19, 2017
SummerPalooza! Summits 2017 Scheduled;
Eliminating Summer Hunger for Children
Focus of Summits
The North Carolina
Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) School Nutrition Services Section, along with a diverse group of
partners, is inviting all private nonprofits, public organizations and advocates
interested in eliminating summer hunger for children to participate in the
fourth annual SummerPalooza! Summits.
The summits are a series of
four regional, day-long celebrations and planning events developed to increase
participation in and expand awareness of North Carolina’s Summer Nutrition
Programs for children. The Summer Nutrition Programs, which are sponsored by
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by NCDPI, provide
funding for meals and snacks to children ages 18 and younger during their summer
vacation.
During
2016, nearly one million North Carolina children were eligible to receive free summer
meals based on family income. According to The Food Research & Action Center’s Hunger
Doesn't Take a Vacation: 2017 Summer Nutrition State Report, fewer than 16 percent of
those children received summer meals through the program. NCDPI is expanding its
efforts to encourage more organizations to become program sponsors, and to
provide more meal sites throughout the state. Almost 3,000 sites served meals across the state in 2017, but more are
needed to fill the need. The SummerPalooza!
Summits will connect, educate and empower organizations and individuals to
work together so more young children and teens will have access to free summer
meal programs in 2018.
“For many children and
teens, summertime means food, friends and fun. For families who count on school
breakfast and lunch, the summer months can be stressful and a time of hunger,” said
Dr. Lynn Harvey, School Nutrition Services section chief at NCDPI. “During the
summer, children and teens also can experience learning loss and a lack of
physical activity. Connecting them to food and fun through the Summer Nutrition
Programs will help fill these gaps.”
Organizations wanting to be
a part of the solution in their communities are encouraged to register
for a SummerPalooza! Summit. The
dates, locations and registration deadlines are noted below. Registration is free,
and lunch will be provided. Preregistration is required.
* Monday, Nov.
6
Deep River Event Center,
Greensboro
Registration deadline is
Oct. 30
* Tuesday,
Nov. 7
Four Points Sheraton,
Asheville
Registration deadline is
Oct. 30
* Tuesday,
Nov. 14
Bob Martin Eastern
Agricultural Center, Williamston
Registration deadline is
Nov. 8
* Thursday,
Nov. 16
New Bern Convention Center,
New Bern
Registration deadline is
Nov. 8
______________________________________________________________________________________
In accordance with federal
civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights
regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees and
institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited
from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age
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 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.
This institution is an equal
opportunity provider.
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