Free Meals are Available During the Summer
Free meals? How is this possible?
Belchertown Public Schools participates in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). This is a federally-funded, state-administered program. SFSP reimburses program operators who serve free healthy meals to children and teens in low-income areas. Belchertown qualifies for SFSP based on 2019 Census data. To learn more about SFSP, click here.
Who is eligible to receive free meals?
All children, aged 18 and younger are eligible to receive free meals. SFSP is separate from the free and reduced meal program operated during the normal school year, and SFSP is open to all children regardless of household income or school year free and reduced status. Children do not need to attend Belchertown Public Schools or be approved for free or reduced meals at school.
How do I get meals for my children?
The Summer Eats program will run Monday-Friday 7/5/2023-8/11/2023. Lunch will be served inside the Chestnut Hill Community School Cafeteria from 11:30am-12:30 pm every weekday.
We will operate an OPEN site, inside of Chestnut Hill Community School for the puplic and camps to attend.
What other resources are available for food in the Summer?
- Brown Bag: Food for Elders (Pre-registration required): The Food Bank’s Belchertown Brown Bag 60 State Street, Belchertown, MA (413) 323-0420 Hours: 2nd Friday 10:30-11:30am
- Food Pantry: Belchertown United Church of Christ, Helping Hands Cupboard 18 Park Street. (413) 323-7442 Hours: Call to confirm.
- Food Pantry: St. Francis Parish, St. Francis Food Pantry 10 Park Street (413) 323-6272
- Amherst Survival Center: All meals provided to go. Groceries available. Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 11am – 3pm. www.amherstsurvival.org
- Sharing the Blessings: Sign up for a free food parcel by clicking this link.
Is there anything else I should know?
Find us on Facebook for daily updates https://www.facebook.com/btownschoolmeals
If you have experienced a loss of household income due to Covid-19, you may be eligible for SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps), and you can apply at any time. Please visit this link to apply or find out more information. We are here to support students and families during this difficult time. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me directly. For families who already receive free or reduced price meals at school, you are eligible for Pandemic EBT (P-EBT). P-EBT provides food support to help families with children who were receiving free and reduced-price school meals pay for food. Click here to find out more.
Barrett Grazioso
(413) 323-0442
bgrazioso@belchertownps.org
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
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(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email; program.intake@usda.gov.
This is an equal opportunity provider.