Libraries and the Summer Food Service Program

1
Libraries and the Summer Food Service Program

• Cate Merlin, Peabody Institute Library

2
Why is this program needed?

• Of Peabodys population of 51,000, 6 of families
  live below the poverty line
• The kids and teens who spend their afternoons and
  summers at the PIL often do not have reliable
  computer or internet access at home, and use the
  library for this technology as well as our
  programs, events and Makerspace equipment and
  classes
• Kids who need free or discounted school lunches
  still need somewhere to eat during the summer

3
Why libraries?

• Neutral place for children and teens to
  comfortably eat lunch without stigma or
  embarrassment of needing free food
• Known community center
• Usual summer programming partnered with lunches
  is an easy tie-in for kids and the library
• Specialized programming
  (week-long camps, etc.)
  
  becomes possible now
  that lunch is included

4
How it Works

• At the PIL, lunch is served from at 12pm Mondays-
  Thursdays during the summer, with a craft or
  activity available to children and teens after
  lunch. Daily attendance since the program began
  in 2009 is between 30-50 kids, depending on the
  year, weather, etc.
• Do kids have to sign up?
• Who provides the food?
• Who serves the food?
• Staff Requirements
• Space Requirements
• Equipment Requirements

5
Community Partners
6
Best Practices

• Full commitment by all library staff is needed.
  This is a big undertaking, depending on
  attendance, and having the support of all staff
  is necessary for kids and teens to truly feel
  welcome to eat, laugh and be merry in a setting
  that doesnt always encourage eating and noise,
  especially in the same place!
• A dedicated staff member in charge of day-to-day
  technicalities (food temperature, lunch counts,
  etc.) turns
  the program in a
  well-oiled machine
• Teen/adult volunteers can help with
  
  set up, distribution and after-lunch
  
  activities and programs (bonus if your
  library has
  access to summer internship or
  
  volunteer program for local teens)

7
Best Practices

• Community partners can help advertise, staff and
  promote your Summer Foods program. Even if an
  organization cant contribute financially, they
  can still donate the time and effort of employees
  and volunteers.
• Advertise programs and events that include lunch,
  so parents know their kids will both have access
  to a nutritious meal while participating in fun
  activities
• School districts are often able to place
  robo-calls informing all parents of Summer
  Foods program- this will bring incredible
  attendance, so only do this if youre prepared!
• Grants to purchase programming equipment (i.e.
  tables, chairs, playground toys) or supplies for
  specific programs and events can expand your
  programming abilities and provide support for
  truly amazing summer events that combine the SFSP
  with the national summer reading theme

8
UNMASK! Summer 2015 Funded by a generous grant
from Project Bread
9
Tips Resources to Start an SFSP _at_ Your Library

• Think about how the SFSP fits into your library
  and its mission. Why should your library run
  summer foods? Thinking through this part early
  will help if your colleagues and potential
  partners have questions about the librarys role
  in a program like this.
• Talk to your library director and co-workers
  about the SFSP. Explain why you think your
  library should get involved.
• See if a SFSP is already operating in your
  community. If so, it may be fairly easy to add
  your library as a feeding site. The public school
  Food Service Department in your city or town may
  be a good place to start.
• If you are starting from scratch, contact the
  state agency in charge of Child Nutrition
  Programs. To find your states agency, check out
  http//www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Contacts/StateDirector
  y.htmM
• Brainstorm partners. Start with organizations in
  your community who have an interest in serving
  youth (schools, churches, recreation departments,
  YMCAs,), but dont stop there. If a potential
  partner cant participate, think outside the box
  about who else could fulfill the needed role.
• Involve elected officials early. Your mayor,
  council and school board members or library
  trustees may have contacts and influence that can
  benefit your SFSP.
• Explore funding options. The federal
  reimbursement rate may not cover all expenses,
  especially if you plan to offer programs and
  activities at your site. In Massachusetts, the
  statewide non-profit Project Bread
  (www.projectbread.org) offers grants for new
  sponsors and sites and for programs wishing to
  offer locally grown produce as part of their
  summer meals. Also, consider local businesses,
  hospitals and foundations as potential funders.
• Dont limit partners to only those who can
  provide financial support. Look for in-kind
  contributions and for partners who can step in
  for each other should problems arise.