SUMMER FOOD SUPPORTS NEBRASKA FAMILIES
EMPTY CLASSROOMS SHOULD NOT MEAN EMPTY STOMACHS
When school is out for summer, many kids across Nebraska go without consistent meals. That’s why agencies and organizations across the state are working to implement summer meal programs to ensure kids get the food they need.
SUMMER EBT
Nebraska will be participating in Summer EBT for Summer 2024! Eligible children will automatically receive an EBT card loaded with $120 ($40 per summer month) that families can use to purchase food at local retailers. Visit the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services’ Summer EBT webpage to learn more about eligibility, updating your address, card activation, and more.
SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM (SFSP)
SFSP offers kids ages one to 18 free meals in high-needs locations that are supervised, safe, and welcoming. School districts, organizations, camps, agencies, or other groups can be sponsors through the SFSP and receive federal reimbursement. Meals can be served in several ways:
- Traditional: Meals are served at eligible sites and in-person attendance is required.
- Rural Non-Congregate (RNC): As of 2023, approved sponsors can now use alternate service models such as grab and go, curbside, drive thru, walk up, or delivery to serve individual or multi-day meals to children in an eligible area.
Students may participate in both Summer EBT and SFSP.
SIX BEST PRACTICES FOR SFSP AND EQUITY
Increasing equity and access at SFSP sites is not only good for kids and families, it better supports SFSP reimbursements and programs. Find six traditional meal service best practices taken from Nebraska sponsors here.
FIND A SUMMER FOOD SITE NEAR YOU
The SFSP is open to all kids ages one to 18 during the summer months. Use the tools below to find a Summer Meals site near you.
TEXT “FOOD” OR “COMIDA” to 304-304
During summer, Nebraska Appleseed’s national partner No Kid Hungry hosts a text line to help families find summer meals: text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 304-304 to get referred to the 3 closest meal sites open near you.
USDA’S MEALS FOR KIDS SITE FINDER
The USDA’s Meals 4 Kids map shares SFSP site information from across the US during summer.
RESOURCES FOR CURRENT SFSP SPONSORS
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
- Go Big Breakfast keeps a running list of Nebraska school nutrition grant opportunities, including those for SFSP.
- Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) Summer Expansion Grants (up to $15,000!): NDE accepts applications for the SFSP Expansion Grants each year in winter and spring. This is an excellent opportunity to annually expand your organization’s reach and engage more participants.
NEBRASKA SPONSOR OUTREACH TOOLKIT 2024
Find Nebraska-specific template social media images and captions, newsletter articles, letters to caregivers, a press release, and more to help get the word out about Nebraska SFSP sites. Resources are in English and Spanish!
RESOURCES FOR POTENTIAL SFSP SPONSORS
Becoming an SFSP sponsor can support a school district or organization’s mission and bottom line. Find resources for potential Nebraska SFSP sponsors at NDE’s SFSP webpage. Also find answers to some common concerns on the Appleseed resource below.