The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) is seeking local governmental agencies, school food authorities, faith-based, public/private nonprofit organizations, and individuals to participate in summer meal programs that provide meals to children when school is not in session.
The Summer Break Café (SBC) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) are summer food service programs funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by SCDE.
SBC meals are served at sites that can be located at schools, churches, recreation centers, hospitals, cafeterias, farmers markets, community and migrant centers, and other areas in the local community.
“Nutritious meals are essential to children’s health and learning, and that need doesn’t stop when school is out for the summer,” said State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver. “Strong community partnerships make our summer meal programs possible and successful."
There are several ways community partners can get involved such as becoming a sponsor, serving as a meal site, outreach and volunteering. Anyone interested in sponsoring should fill out the become a sponsor link by Feb. 13.
Last summer, meal service increased by 54 percent, with partners providing more than 5.4 million meals to students across South Carolina. For additional information visit the Summer Break Café website.