Nutrition is one of the basic necessities of life and yet one
out of nine households in the United States struggles to put food on the
table. Nearly one-fourth of those that go hungry in our country are children.
Not only do real families suffer due to lack of adequate nutrition,
but the problem also has economic consequences. The Alliance to End Hunger
reports that the U.S. spends
more than $90 billion each year on direct and indirect costs associated
with hunger.
Food assistance programs like the Child & Adult Care Food Program
(CACFP) are key to fighting the battle against hunger. Through a partnership
with U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Office
of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OPSI) can reimburse some costs
associated with providing meals to eligible programs
and organizations that serve children and adults.
In 2010, the OSPI helped provide over 3 million meals to
low-income children and families through organizations participating in the
CACFP.
If you operate a child or adult day care center, an at-risk
afterschool program, ECEAP or Head Start, or emergency shelter and are
interested in applying for the program, contact Adele Roberts, Child Nutrition
Services, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, P.O. Box 47200,
Olympia, Washington 98504-7200.
If you or someone you know is in
need of nutrition assistance, contact the Washington
Basic Food Program at 1-877-501-2233.
