The Summer Food Service Program:
Becoming Involved

If you are interested in getting involved in the Summer Food Service Program, please read the information below, read the Frequently Asked Questions and/or contact Gloria Cunningham at the email or phone number listed below.

West Virginia Department of Education
Office of Child Nutrition
Building 6, Room 248
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Charleston, WV 25305-0330
Phone: 304-558-4856
Email: gjcunnin@access.k12.wv.us

Four Ways You Can Participate in the SFSP

1. Become a Sponsor

Make an investment in the children in your community. If your organization already provides services to the community, and has capable staff and good management practices to run a food service, you can administer SFSP. Administering agencies are referred to as a sponsor. As a sponsor, you will:
  • attend the WVDE, OCN training
  • locate eligible sites
  • hire, train, and supervise staff
  • arrange for meals to be prepared or delivered
  • monitor your sites
  • prepare claims for reimbursement

2. Operate a Site

Some organizations do not have the financial or administrative ability to run the program, but they can supervise a food service for children, along with recreational or enrichment activities, at a site. If you supervise a site, you will:
  • attend your sponsor's training
  • supervise activities and meal service at your site
  • distribute meals by following SFSP guidelines
  • keep daily records of meals served
  • store food appropriately
  • keep the site clean and sanitary

3. Be a Vendor

Organizations with kitchens and food service staff, including schools, commercial companies, or public or nonprofit institutions, can participate in SFSP as vendors. Instead of administering or supervising a meal service site, a vendor sells prepared meals under an agreement or a contract with an approved SFSP sponsor. As a vendor, you will:
  • register with the State agency, if required
  • meet appropriate health and sanitation standards
  • prepare meals meeting Federal nutritional guidelines
  • deliver meals on schedule
  • keep delivery records
  • fulfill the terms of the agreement or contract

4. Volunteer

Even if your organization cannot take on the responsibilities of a sponsor or a site, you can team up with a sponsor to provide:
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Mentoring
  • Dramatics
  • Computers
  • Music
  • Reading
  • Coaching
  • Life Skills
  • Entertainment
  • Tutoring
  • Kite Flying
  • Athletics
  • Games
  • Gardening
  • Cooking
  • Swimming
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Or any other activity that makes summer fun!