after school – CRPLSA

Become a Summer Food Program Site

Learn How Your Library Can Be a Summer Food Program Site

Fewer than 15 percent of Minnesota kids who benefit from the free or reduced-price school lunch program have access to summer and afterschool food programs. Limited access to free food programs, particularly during the summer, leaves many children hungry. Public libraries can help make sure kids have access to nutritious food when school is not in session.

Begin planning your summer 2016 participation by attending an informational webinar on February 24, 2016 at 11 a.m. Jenny Butcher, USDA Summer Food Service Program Coordinator at MDE, will share how you can get involved. There is no need to pre-register.

Please join the WebEx meeting online (meeting number 594 625 833) or call in at 1-888-742-5095 (conference code 874 403 3672). Email Jen Verbrugge with questions or to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event.

Note: MDE requires a two-week advance notice in order to provide the requested accommodation and requires a 48-hour notice in order to cancel a requested accommodation.

Celebrate Lights on Afterschool

While not every library offers organized afterschool programs, many provide “stealth” learning opportunities just by being open when kids are not in school. On October 22, celebrate the importance of afterschool learning with Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide event recognizing the value of out-of-school-time programs to children, families, & communities.

Ignite Afterschool, Minnesota’s afterschool network, will provide support to libraries hosting Lights On Afterschool celebrations. The activity and planning toolkits, as well as the social media campaign will allow libraries to host events that reflect unique community needs, while also connecting celebrations across the state. Email Jen Verbrugge at State Library Services for more information.

Summer & At-Risk Food Program

Summer and At-Risk Food Programs for Kids – Webinar Reminder

Public libraries can help make sure kids have access to nutritious food when school is not in session by participating in summer and/or afterschool food programs. Begin planning your library’s summer 2015 participation by attending an informational webinar on February 4, 2015 at 11 a.m. Jenny Butcher, USDA Summer Food Service Program Coordinator at MDE, will share how you can get involved.

Register

Contact Jennifer Verbrugge with questions or to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event. Note: MDE requires a two-week advance notice in order to provide the requested accommodation and requires a 48-hour notice in order to cancel a requested accommodation.

Library Summer and At-Risk Food Programs for Kids

Fewer than 17 percent of Minnesota kids who benefit from the free or reduced-price school lunch program have access to summer and afterschool food programs. Limited access to free food programs, particularly during the summer, leaves many children hungry. Public libraries can help make sure kids have access to nutritious food when school is not in session.

Begin planning your summer 2015 participation today, there are many ways your library can get involved:

1. Learn about local free meal resources and direct patrons to them.
Find information about Minnesota meal sites on MDE’s At-Risk Afterschool Meals web page and Summer Food Service Program web page.

2. Provide information at your library for patrons to take home.
Make available take-home information for families in need. Contact Second Harvest Heartland for pads of tear-off sheets to passively promote summer food service.

3. Your library may be eligible to be an at-risk afterschool and/or summer food site or sponsor.
Sites store and distribute food, supervise meal service, provide activities, and keep a daily record of participation. To notify MDE of your desire to participate as a site, fill out an interest survey. Sponsors manage multiple sites, coordinate fund distribution and reporting. Read the Second Harvest Heartland toolkit for more information about how to be a sponsor.

Contact State Library Services, Jen Nelson at or Jen Verbrugge for more information about how your library can work with summer and out-of-school time food programs.