The Summer Meals Act of 2019 would be a game changer

children enjoying a Summer Food Service Program meal

The Summer Food Service Program is critical to Kansas kids and families, the Summer Meals Act of 2019 would usher in positive opportunities for the program.

Published 2019-12-17

By Christina Ostmeyer

Just over three years ago, I became the Summer Meals Advocate at Kansas Appleseed. It was a dream job: I got to work with folks across my state–the one I am so proud to call home–as they found ways fight summer hunger.

As a summer meals advocate, I’ve listened to recreation directors tell me their plans for expanding summer meals, even though they didn’t know where they’d find the time, because there were children who hadn’t yet been reached.

I saw schools work with churches and other community volunteers to coordinate transportation so all kids could receive a nutritious meal, no matter where they lived in and outside of town.

I worked with advocates in my hometown of Colby as they started their very first summer meals site, and agreed as they discussed how they could reach more kids if only different locations in Colby qualified. (Shout-out to my former coach, art teacher, classmates, principals, and others who are all involved!)

And I ate with and learned from children and families. While on a “tour” across Kansas, I had lunch at a site in Sterling on Tuesday, Clay Center on Thursday. In Clay Center, I saw someone I knew: A little boy and his mom who I’d met two days before in Sterling. They told me they find summer meal programs wherever they are, whether at home or visiting friends.

These are just some of the stories I’ll share with Senators Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran as I voice my support for the bipartisan Summer Meals Act of 2019. The Summer Food Service Program is a game changer for thousands of Kansas families. And this legislation could be a game changer for the program itself. To support and uplift Kansas summer meals, we’re joining anti-hunger advocates across the country for a day of action.

When Congress gets back from winter break, lawmakers may decide to move Child Nutrition Reauthorization through the Senate. We are taking today to let our legislators know how important the Summer Food Service Program is to Kansas kids and to ensure support for SFSP stays in the conversation. (For more info about the Summer Meals Act, see below.)

If passed, the Summer Meals Act would:

  • Lower the area eligibility threshold from 50 percent of kids qualifying for free/reduced lunch in a given Census tract to 40 percent, allowing thousands more locations and communities to participate
  • Allow local agencies and nonprofits to feed children year-round through the program
  • Allow all summer meals sites to serve a third meal
  • Provide funding for transportation grants to fund innovative approaches and mobile meals
  • Include a provision to support meal service in disaster situations, allowing USDA to waive requirements when a disaster is declared by a governor. (Currently, this provision is only valid if the President declares a disaster.)