Last Updated on February 14, 2017 by cassnetwork
Lafayette, IN – According to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study, more than 2,080 children in Cass County are considered food insecure, meaning they lack reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. Food Finders Food Bank, in partnership with the USDA and the Indiana State Department of Education, hope to lessen the stress that summer often brings for these children with the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The food bank is seeking to expand its outreach efforts for the 2017 program in an effort to reach more of these children. Last year the food bank and its partner organizations distributed nearly 29,000 meals and snacks to children in need across North Central Indiana.
For the eighth year, Food Finders will act as an area SFSP sponsor for organizations interested in feeding children in their communities. Food Finders is seeking community organizations and volunteers to host feeding sites in their respective communities to serve meals to children during the summer program. Site participation is simple; requiring only a central location and volunteer time to host a feeding site. As the sponsor, Food Finders will work with qualified organizations to administer the program throughout the summer by providing the food, outreach, orientation, and administration of required USDA paperwork.
Since 2010, Food Finders has coordinated with area churches, United Ways, libraries, fire stations, parks and schools to provide meals to children who would otherwise go without. In 2016, Food Finders served an average of 425 children each day at 24 feeding sites across five counties throughout the Summer Food Service Program, however many children, especially in rural communities, were still left without resources.
Organizations interested in learning more about the program, site requirements, or how to get involved should contact Courtney Sloan, Program Coordinator at 765.471.0062 or csloan@food-finders.org.
SOURCE: News release from Food Finders