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Washington-Morgan Community Action Sponsors Summer Food Service Program
On July 29, 2004 Representative Jimmy Stewart visited Depot Park in Belpre, one of four summer feeding sites sponsored by Washington-Morgan Community Action in Belpre. The purpose of Representative Stewart's visit was to learn about the summer food service program and how it benefits children. Fifteen children along with parents attended and had the opportunity to discuss the summer feeding program from their perspective.
Between September and May, many children rely on the meals they receive through their school system. These meals are crucial for a child's physical and cognitive development. Studies have shown that school meals make up one-third to one-half of a child's daily nutritional intake. For many children, the end of the school year means the end of nutritional meals.
As a result, Congress created the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) in 1968 to provide food for children during the summer months. SFSP is a child nutrition program providing funds for sponsoring agencies to serve nutritious meals in low-income areas throughout the summer. The SFSP is administered federally by the United States Department of Agriculture, which provides funds to state agencies to operate the program at the state level and to reimburse sponsors for meals.
Washington-Morgan Community Action is the sponsoring agency for the Summer Feeding Program in Washington County this year. Currently, there are 13 summer feeding sites throughout the county. The sites are open to all children ages 1-18. At the end of the summer, the program expects to have served as many as 30,000 nutritionally balanced meals.
The Washington County Department of Developmental Disabilities has been selected as the vendor for the summer feeding program and Chef Raymond Digman describes the program as a continuation of school year nutrition programs over the summer.
“WASCO, Inc. is excited to be providing this much needed program to the children in the community,” stated Director of Work Services and Information Curt Alden.
Meals for the rest of the summer will be provided at the following locations:
Belpre Church of Christ
Belpre Monday- Friday 11am –1 pm
Washington School Elementary Playground
Marietta Monday – Friday 12 pm-1 pm
Belpre Recreation Park
Belpre Monday- Friday 11am- 12 pm
Belpre Depot Park
Belpre Monday- Friday 12 pm-1 pm
Colonial Terrace
Marietta Monday, Wednesday, Friday 12 pm-12:30pm
YMCA Summer Program, MMS
Marietta Monday-Friday 8:30 am – 1:00pm
For more information on the Summer Food Service Program in Washington County please call Washington-Morgan Community Action at (740) 373-3745.
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