[SEO-Members] Summer Food Service Program resources & publicity tools

[jdwyer at library.ohio.gov]

Cross-posted. Please excuse duplication.

With summer right around the corner, the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) is recruiting locations around Ohio to be Summer Food Service Program<https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Student-Supports/Food-and-Nutrition/Summer-Food-Service-Program> (SFSP) sites.  Your library may already participate in the SFSP, a USDA-funded program that provides free meals and snacks to children ages 0-18 in communities with high levels of need.

Libraries and SFSP are a great fit<https://www.cslpreads.org/libraries-and-summer-food/>. The library is a known, trusted, accessible community center which is open to all and welcomes kids and teens. Libraries are also justly famous for drop-in enrichment programming, which increases the appeal and use of SFSP sites.
As SFSP sites, libraries do not have to prepare the food or pay the bills. Typically, the only expenses to the library are staff time and some basic supplies.

Interested?

  *   If you are already an SFSP site (or have been a site in the past), work with your regular sponsor to prepare for summer 2023.
  *   If you want to become an SFSP site, the Collaborative Summer Library Program's Libraries & Summer Food<https://www.cslpreads.org/libraries-and-summer-food/> how-to guide is a thorough, clear step-by-step guide for determining whether your library is eligible, getting started, and exploring other ways to support food distribution and address basic needs. The State Library's SFSP webpage<https://library.ohio.gov/summer-food-service-program> provides guidance for Ohio libraries and a collection of Ohio-specific links, instructions, and ideas. I'm also happy to answer questions and help you navigate SFSP!

Whether or not your library is an SFSP site, there are many ways to raise awareness about summer meals. The CSLP Libraries & Summer Food guide and the SLO SFSP webpage both offer links and tips for planning outreach and publicizing local SFSP sites. The ODE has created SFSP digital signage images for use anywhere in Ohio. Download the images from the SLO SFSP webpage<https://library.ohio.gov/summer-food-service-program> (scroll down to Communications).

Thank you for all you do to support and enhance the well-being of children and families in your community.

Sincerely,
Janet

[cid:image001.jpg at 01D984BA.A0C6D8F0]
Janet Ingraham Dwyer (she/her)
Library Consultant
614-644-6910
jdwyer at library.ohio.gov<mailto:jdwyer at library.ohio.gov>
library.ohio.gov/youth-services<http://library.ohio.gov/youth-services>

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