In December of 2006 the Aiken County Council voted to transfer the administrative entity for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) from its Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department to the Aiken Housing Authority.

The SFSP for children was created by Congress in 1968. It is an entitlement program designed to provide funds for eligible sponsoring organizations to serve nutritious meals to low-income children when school is not in session. SFSP is the single largest Federal resource available for local sponsors who want to combine a feeding program with a summer activity program. Children in our community do not need to go hungry this summer.

During the school year, nutritious meals are available through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. But those programs end when school ends for the summer. The Summer Food Service Program helps fill the hunger gap. The SFSP provides free meals and snacks to low-income children through age 18 when school is not in session. (People over age 18 who are enrolled in school programs for persons with disabilities may also participate in the SFSP.)
Did you know?

• 491,090 youth participated in Free and or Reduced School Lunch Program
• 56,056 youth participated in the Summer Food Service Program
• 13,000 youth in Aiken County qualify
• 2006 – 1,500 youth participated in the Summer Food Service Program

Why is the Summer Food Service Program needed in Aiken County?

A good indicator of child poverty in a community is the number of children who qualify for free and reduced priced lunches during the school year. If these children don't have the resources for lunch during the school year it's a bet that they are going without proper nutrition during the summer.

Participation:

Aiken County Schools

• 53% receive free or reduced meals.
• 13,000 are eligible to receive free or reduced meals.

Summer Food Service Program

• Only 1,500 youth served due to lack of program participation.
• 89% of the youth who qualify are not currently being served.

Eligibility:

Free meals and snacks are provided to low-income children through age 18 when school is not in session. (People over age 18 who are enrolled in school programs for persons with disabilities may also participate).

Aiken Housing Authority may sponsor your site, which may include:

• Schools, churches, non-profit daycares, recreational centers, Headstart, Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army, Faith-based organizations, summer camps, youth sites and many more....

Your site qualifies if the nearest school to your site is one of the following....

Benefits:

• The Summer Food Service Program feeds hungry children in the summer, gives a boost to public and private non-profit summer programs, and helps gives low-income children the best start on the new school year.
• Many sites provide not just meals, but educational enrichment and recreational activities that help children continue to learn and stay safe when school is not in session. The meals provided through the Summer Food Service Program act as a "magnet" to draw children to these activities.

Please contact the following individuals for more information:

Angela Mackie
(803) 617-7982

Chanosha Lawton
(803) 617-7978

Sasha Creech
(803) 617-7980

Program Dates:
Monday, June 12, 2017 

Days of Operation:
Monday through Friday.

"You may choose the days or weeks you would like to participate."

*No person shall, on the grounds or race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under the program." Any persons who believes that he or she has been discriminated against in any USDA related activity should write immediately to USDA Office or Civil Rights, Room 326-W Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20250.