How public libraries can become distribution points for the Summer Food Service Program
By Michele Chan Santos
Texas Center for the Book
Katelyn Patterson, Youth Services Consultant at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, has a message for public librarians: there’s still time for your public library to become a food distribution site, this summer, for the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Last year, about 40 public libraries in Texas gave out free meals to kids and families in need. Patterson would love to see that number rise. She sat down with us to explain how the program works.
Q: What makes public libraries a good fit for this program?
KP: I love this quote on our TSLAC website: “To be well read, you must be well fed.” During the school year, 2.8 million Texas students receive free or reduced-priced meals at school, but only a fraction of these children receive food over the summer. Public libraries are a natural pairing for this, because we are community hubs, especially in the summer, and we’re a trusted source of information and resources. One of the requirements of each distribution site is that there is some enrichment program offered for the students, for example story time, or a craft activity. And nobody does those better than a public library. (Patterson recommended this two-minute video from nonprofit No Kid Hungry about how a summer food program at a public library transformed people’s lives.)
Q: How do I know if my library qualifies for the program?
KP: The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally-funded program that enables libraries, school districts, churches, WIC clinics, and other eligible organizations to serve free, healthy meals to low-income children and teens through age 18 during the summer months. Your library qualifies if more than 50 percent of youth in your area qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. You can look up that data at the Texas Department of Agriculture, or the simpler route would be to contact me and I can look it up for you. (Katelyn’s email is kpatterson@tsl.texas.gov). There is also an eligibility map.
To be well read, you must be well fed.
Katelyn patterson
Q: If my library is in a qualifying area, what are the next steps?
KP: In the Summer Food Service Program there are two main parts. There are sponsors, for example local food pantries, food banks, and school districts. And there are distribution sites, and the libraries are distribution sites. The sponsors are the ones who enter into a contract with the Texas Department of Agriculture, and they hold all the regulatory responsibility. So, the libraries are not responsible for that part. The sponsor takes care of ordering the food, the meal preparation and delivery. And many times, the sponsoring organization will work with the libraries to provide what the library needs to be a successful delivery site, whether that’s trash cans, tables or other items. Once your library gets connected with a sponsor, then you take some time to come to an agreement about who will do what. You can look up potential sponsors (a school district or food pantry) at the TSLAC summer food program website. I am also happy to help get you connected with a sponsor.
Q: What funding, space and staffing does the library need to provide to be a food distribution site?
KP: There are certainly some challenges public libraries face to become a food distribution site, such as physical space needs, people power, and policy issues. Some food service requires food be eaten on-site so space is needed for that. But many sites do this outside (in an outdoor space, such as a porch). There is also a grab-and-go option for rural areas. I am also happy to help determine if a library is eligible for that option. In terms of staffing, some libraries have used being part of the summer food program as an opportunity to recruit more volunteers. It’s a good chance for volunteers who don’t want to do a lot of lifting, pushing, stooping, your typical library volunteer work, to be involved in a worthwhile program.
Q: Do families need to qualify or register for the program in order for their children to participate?
KP: No, they do not. The meals are for children 18 and younger, the area eligibility is based off of the location of the food site. No enrollment necessary. (Katelyn talked with the Texas Department of Agriculture about the summer food program; for an in-depth look, watch this video.)
Q: OK – I’m interested! Where do I learn more about the application and what to do next?
KP: To learn more, visit the TSLAC Summer Meals site. I have gathered a lot of resources for you there. Again, please feel free to contact me with any questions, I would love to help libraries participate with summer meals in any way I can. You can reach me at kpatterson@tsl.texas.gov.