State officials are again seeking assistance from local-levelproviders to run a statewide Summer Food Service Program.

The program provides nutritious meals to children up to age 18during the summer months when school is not in session. Localsponsors may include schools, governments, public or privatenonprofit organizations and others, with participation renewedannually.

“Normally, our focus is to set it up with schools first,” saidGary May, director of child nutrition for the MississippiDepartment of Education.

The Brookhaven School District has been a local sponsor for manyyears, said Tonya McSweyn, food services director. She said she isworking on plans for this year’s program, including setting upmenus and lining up workers.

“We are already participating in it,” McSweyn said.”Unfortunately, our participation has dropped.”

In past years, McSweyn said, the district operated three or foursites.

Currently, two sites are operated at Mullins Elementary andMartin Elementary. At the two sites combined, McSweyn said about500 children are served each day.

“That would be one of our high days, and we encourage people tocome,” McSweyn said.

McSweyn said officials have made efforts to promoteparticipation by community children.

“It picked up last year,” McSweyn said. “We were pleased and wehope we hold that.”

McSweyn said promotion efforts have included notifying area daycares, church groups and similar operations. Also, many childrenaround the two schools are walk up participants.

“It’s a really good program for the community,” McSweyn said.”The kids gets a hot meal plus fruits and vegetables.”

McSweyn said Brookhaven’s program is tentatively scheduled forMay 23-July 1.

In areas where schools are not serving as sponsors, May said thedepartment seeks assistance from other entities such as churches,nonprofit organizations or parks. He said there is no cost forsponsors to participate, but sponsors must attend a trainingsession.

“If they serve meals on site, the health department will have tovisit them,” May said.

May said sponsors must follow meal patterns established by theUSDA and be reviewed by a child nutritionist. On-site programs musthave an administrator who has been to the training.

Sponsors are reimbursed for program operating and administrativeexpenses under established guidelines. May said the program is notdesigned for sponsors looking to make a supplemental income oroperate their own business.

“It’s not really a profit-making program,” May said. “It’sgeared more toward meeting the needs of the children.”

If run properly, May said sponsors should break even.

“We work with them on ways to meet that goal,” May said.

McSweyn said the Brookhaven program accomplishes that goal.

“It’s simply a provide a service to the community,” shesaid.

For others considering participating in the program, McSweynsaid they should in an area where a good number of children arenearby. She said children should be within walking distance of theserving location.

“I think that’s a big part of it,” she said. “You’ve got to haveeasy access to the site.”

Anyone considering participating this year is encouraged tocontact Lenora Phillips, director of MDE’s technical assistancedivision, at (601) 354-7014 or (601) 354-6982. With new-sponsortraining scheduled for early April, May said prospective sponsorsshould express interest as soon as possible.