Brian Halstead, Deputy Commissioner | Nebraska Department of Education
Children require nutritious food throughout the entire year, including when they are not attending school. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) offers free healthy meals to children aged one to 18.
Various community organizations, private nonprofits, schools, tribal and local governments, parks and recreation departments, and local health departments can become sponsors to operate meal sites. These must be located in low-income areas or cater to mainly low-income children, or they can run a summer camp with a high number of low-income participants.
There is a particular need for SFSP sites statewide, specifically in higher-need areas of several counties: Brown, Franklin, Grant, Harlan, Hayes, Hitchcock, Logan, McPherson, Red Willow, Rock, Sheridan, and Sioux.
NDE is offering grant funds to support new and established SFSP sponsors with expenses related to expanding or starting SFSP services. Each applicant can request up to $15,000 per year, with the application deadline being March 28, 2025.
For eligibility verification, individuals may contact the NDE at 402-471-2967 (Lincoln) or 1-800-731-2233 (outside of Lincoln).
The online grant application is available at: https://education.ne.gov/ns/sfsp/news/.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) emphasizes that according to federal civil rights law and its own civil rights regulations and policies, discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for previous civil rights activities is prohibited by this institution.
Program information can be made accessible in languages other than English. Those with disabilities requiring alternative communication methods (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should reach out to the relevant state or local agency managing the program, or contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
For filing a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should complete a USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form AD-3027, available online, at any USDA office, or by calling (866) 632-9992. Alternatively, complainants may write a letter containing their name, address, phone number, and a detailed description of the alleged discrimination to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of the alleged violation. The completed form or letter must be sent to USDA.
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