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 fifth annual SummerPalooza! Summits. This
year's theme, "Strength in Numbers," represents a focus on
collaboration among diverse partners to create more sustainable and
successful Summer Nutrition Programs in North Carolina.
The four regional, day-long celebrations and planning events are aimed at increasing participation in and awareness of North Carolina’s
Summer Nutrition Programs for children. The Summer Nutrition Programs, which
are sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and
administered by NCDPI, provide funding for meals and snacks to children ages 18
and younger when school is out.
During 2017,
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
(pdf, 442kb), less 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
across the state. Almost 3,000 sites served meals statewide in 2017
and 2018, but more are needed. The SummerPalooza! Summits
will connect, educate and empower organizations and individuals to work
together so more children and teens will have access to free summer meals in
2019.
“Children
and teens often look forward to summer as a time for friends and fun. However,
many students do not look forward to when school is out, because it means a
break from the school breakfast and lunch programs that so many of them depend
on for nutritious meals,” said Lynn Harvey, section chief for School
Nutrition Services at NCDPI. “One in four children in our state struggle with
not knowing where their next meal will come from. Along with hunger, students
can experience learning loss and a lack of physical activity if not engaged in
educational enrichment programs. Connecting them to Summer Nutrition Programs
will help fulfill these critical needs so that students may return to school
ready to learn.”
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.
Tuesday,
October 30
Hickory
Metro Convention Center, Hickory
Registration
deadline is October 23, 5 p.m.
Thursday,
November 1
N.C. State
University McKimmon Center, Raleigh
Registration
deadline is October 25, 5 p.m.
Wednesday,
November 14
East Area
Health Education Center, Greenville
Registration
deadline is November 7, 5 p.m.
Friday,
November 16
J.C.
Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh
Registration
deadline is November 9, 5 p.m.
N.C. Summer
Nutrition Programs provide educational enrichment and meals at no cost to
children and teens, ages 18 and younger when school is out. The NCDPI, School
Nutrition Services Section administers Summer Nutrition Programs with federal
funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For questions regarding N.C.
Summer Nutrition Programs, contact NCDPI Summer Nutrition Programs Manager Cynthia Ervin.
USDA and NCDPI are equal opportunity providers and
employers. Additional information regarding School Nutrition Programs in North
Carolina can be found on the School Nutrition Services website.
____________________________________________
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,
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) available 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:
* mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office
of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
D.C. 20250-9410;
* fax: (202) 690-7442; or
* email.
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