CCSD taking site applications for 2019 free summer meals program

For many children and teens, summer can be an exciting time filled with vacations, playtime, camps, and relaxation. But for others who rely on daily school meals, it can be a stressful time when you don’t know where your next meal will come from. About 25,000 students – or half of Charleston County School District’s (CCSD) total enrollment – qualify for free or reduced priced school meals during the school year.

CCSD’s Seamless Summer Feeding Program (SSFP) works to fill the nutrition gap when school is out for summer. Last summer, CCSD served 241,796free breakfast and lunch meals at 164 sites.

For nine weeks this summer, the District’s Nutrition Services Department will again provide free breakfast and lunch to approved sites in CharlestonCounty through the SSFP.

The program will begin Monday, June 10, 2019, and run through Friday, August 9, 2019 (closed weekends and July 4, 2019).

Breakfast and home-made hot lunches are prepared at one of 11 meal preparation locations (CCSD school kitchens/cafeterias). Representatives from approved summer sites, including schools, camps, community and recreation centers, and churches, can pick up their free meals on a daily basis from one of the 11 locations.

Any child or teen 18 years old or younger that goes to one of the approved summer sites can eat a free breakfast and/or lunch. There is no approval process for individual children because the site itself already qualifies to receive the free summer meals. All necessary serving and eating utensils, plates, napkins, and condiments are provided.

Meals are available for pick-up throughout the county, including McClellanville, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, James Island, Johns Island, Hollywood, downtown Charleston, and West Ashley.

Applying to become a site that receives free meals is simple. Visit CCSD’s SeamlessSummer Feeding Program page on the District website; there you will find a site eligibility map, site application, menu, training dates, the 11 meal pick-up locations(schools), and FAQ’s.

The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, May 3, 2019. For more information about the SSFP, please contact Jeremy Tunstill, CCSD’s Office of Nutrition Services Officer, at (843) 297-2240 or [email protected].

About the Charleston County School District

Charleston County School District (CCSD) is the second largest school system in South Carolina representing a unique blend of urban, suburban, and rural schools that span 1,000 square miles along the coast. CCSD serves more than 50,000 students in 86 schools and specialized programs. With approximately 6,100 employees districtwide, CCSD is the fourth largest employer in the region.CCSD offers a diverse, expanding portfolio of options and specialized programs, delivered through neighborhood, charter, magnet, IB (international baccalaureate), and Montessori schools, and is divided into three Learning Communities. Options include specialized programs in science, engineering and mathematics; liberal arts; music and other creative and performing arts; career and technical preparation programs; and military and other public service enterprises.