Hungry kids are handicapped when they come to school, all educators know. So good meals for low-income students are part of many schools’ menu, including in Santee.
On Friday, the state superintendent of public instruction announced newly updated lists of groups offering low-cost or free meals for children of low-income families.
At least three locations offer such help in Santee, according to the Child and Adult Care Food Program Day Care Home Sponsors and 2012-13 CACFP Center Sites.
“Too many disadvantaged families are still struggling with the most basic need of all—providing nutritious meals for children,” said Tom Torlakson, the state schools chief. “I hope these updated lists help direct families to these critical resources.”
These are the the 2012-13 CACFP Sites in Santee:
Sponsor Site Address Contact Giggle & Smiles Child Care Center Giggle & Smiles Child Care Center 11316 Woodside Ave Piper Rhodes, 619-258-5437 Tutor Time Learning Center Tutor Time Learning Center 9440 Cuyamaca St Jean Griffith/Donna Pomerson, 209-534-9869 Grossmont Union High School District Santee Boys and Girls Club 8820 Tamberly WayVince Scimone, 619-644-8183
As part of Torlakson’s Team California for Health Kids initiative, he encourages students to be physically active, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and drink more water.
Studies show these factors can lead to better academic achievement in students, the state said.
CACFP, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides nutritious food to infants, children and adults. Under the program, all children enrolled in day-care homes get meals at no charge.
Most day-care centers taking part also provide meals at no charge. In centers that have a separate charge for meals, participants may receive free or reduced-price meals, the state says.
Nearly 5,000 local day-care centers and 17,000 sponsored family day-care home providers in California take part in the CACFP.
Families with children in child-care centers can qualify for free or reduced-price meals if their household income is equal to or less than the income eligibility guidelines. See attached PDF chart.
In a news release, the state also said:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s most recent income eligibility scales are adjusted for inflation and are higher than the previous year. For example, a family of four that earns no more than $29,965 a year (up from $29,055 last year) can qualify for free meals and snacks. Also, a family of four that earns no more than $42,643 a year (up from $41,348 last year) can qualify for reduced-price meals and snacks. The Income Eligibility Scales for free and reduced-price meals and snacks are attached.
Children who receive California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), CalFresh (formerly Food Stamps), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payment Program (Kin-GAP), Head Start, Early Head Start, or the Even Start Program are automatically eligible for free meal benefits under CACFP.
Adults who receive CalFresh, FDPIR, Social Security Income, or Medicaid benefits are also eligible for free meals under CACFP. Institutions serve meals to all participants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
For more information, see the CACFP Day Care Home Sponsors list and the 2012–13 CACFP Center Sites list.
Also check out the Santee Food Bank for other food resources in town
