Federal Supper Money Available in PA

Thanks to the efforts of Pennsylvania’s 19th District Congressman William F. Goodling, after school programs across the Commonwealth have a new opportunity to help hungry children.

The Agricultural Risk Protection Act (H.R.2559), which passed the U.S. House and Senate on May 25th, includes a variety of new measures to improve the administrative effectiveness of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Among the changes is authorization for four states (Pennsylvania, Delaware, Missouri and Michigan) to use CACFP funds to cover the cost of suppers served needy children up to 18 years of age. This is a change from the standard CACFP approach, which funds only snacks in after school programs.

Representative Goodling chairs the House Education and Workforce Committee, which has jurisdiction over federal child nutrition programs such as CACFP.

he change, which will be implemented by the PA Department of Education in late August, will be especially beneficial to hungry teenagers.

Peg Bianca, executive director of the Greater Berks Food Bank in Reading, welcomes the change. Her organization has opened fifteen Kids Cafes in the past two years and has carried the full cost of funding the effort through private donations. During March 10,465 suppers were served to 1325 children; their average age was 9 years. CACFP’s $1.98 per supper per child will be a huge help. Kids Cafes in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Erie, Wilkes-Barre and Greene County also expect to take advantage of this new opportunity.

Sue Still, CACFP Administrator in the PA Department of Education, will host an orientation to the new program in late July. Anyone interested in attending should contact Still at 1-800-331-0129 for more information.