June 20, 2018
Fighting summer hunger Operation Food Search launches Summer Food Service Program to help feed children during the months when they are out of school and most vulnerable
Hazelwood Firefighters host Safety Day to showcase equipment and offer fun activities. Pg. 3
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By Charlotte Beard Many children are attending a local area camp this summer or they are fortunate enough to enjoy an out of town vacation with their parents. However, for many other parents, those are expenses they cannot afford. More importantly, many parents have difficulty handling an increased food budget due to the summer break from school. A nonprofit hunger relief organization, Operation Food Search (OFS), is currently providing a remedy to both the shortage of food for children and lack of some activities. On June 4, OFS and area partners launched the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). SFSP is funded by the USDA and feeds children 18 years of age and younger. The program runs until Aug. 11. OFS has a goal to serve 100,000 meals this summer. Meals are provided every day from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (except Sunday). The Saturday service is an additional service for 2018. OFS launched its first SFSP in 2012 at a single location and served 5,000 meals to children. In 2016 they added the mobile meals concept which increased the access to healthy food. Executive Director Sunny Schaefer shared that there was an assessment conducted to determine what service was needed. “One of the barriers for the children in getting the meals is transportation,” Schaefer stated. “So, by using the mobile meals we can take it right into the neighborhoods where there is high need.” At the June 4 kickoff, 35 stationary sites were presented as well as 28 mobile sites. OFS hires staff during the summer months to provide the mobile service. The stationary
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Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1 CLASSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3 Moore On Life, Yeggs & Crossword Puzzle. Pg. F-4 Submitted photo On June 4, Operation Food Search (OFS) and area partners launched the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). SFSP is funded by the USDA and feeds children 18 years of age and younger. OFS has a goal to serve 100,000 meals this summer.
sites include nine St. Louis County libraries and various partnering locations. The mobile sites include five St. Louis Public libraries, various parks and other locations. For details text ‘FOOD’ to 877-877 or visit: www.operationfoodsearch.org/summermeals-locations. For free summer activities and enrichment, Schaefer shared that there will also be ageappropriate reading books for children, arts and crafts, games, kickball, various athletic activities and STEM projects. Both stationary and mobile participants will be able to take part in these offerings at
the participating food service locations. AmeriCorps volunteers will provide educational interaction and entertaining activities. Through an offering of the St. Louis Reading Council, children will be allowed to select a book of their very own each time they visit the Food & Fun Club. The St. Louis Daily Council is providing educational materials for children to take home each day. Vroom, a program of the Lume Institute, will focus on learning opportunities for children See ‘HUNGER’ page 2
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