SFSP FAQs

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Frequently Asked Questions
Assistance Referrals

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Summer Food Program?
What are the requirements for my child to receive a meal? Do I have to fill out an application form?
Is there a cost?
How do I find a feeding site in my area?
Do these sites offer activities?
Who funds the Summer Food Service Program?
What kind of food is served at these sites?
There is no site in my area. What can I do to be sure that one is available for the children in my area next summer?
I want to help, what else can I do?

What is the Summer Food Program?

The Summer Food Service Program is a nutrition program designed to ensure that children ages 1-18 have access to healthy meals when school is not in session.

What are the requirements for my child to receive a meal? Do I have to fill out an application form?

There is no application necessary to receive food at the sites listed on this website. Children and teens ages 1-18 can simply come during meal times to receive a meal. To adhere to food safety guidelines, children must eat their meals at the designated site and may not take food “to-go.” Adults may not eat from a child’s meal.

Is there a cost?

There is no cost for meals served to children. The USDA requires that meals be served at no charge to children ages 1-18. Summer food sites are not required to serve adults, however some offer meals to adults at a cost.

How do I find a feeding site in my area?

Click here and follow the directions located in the search page. Or you can call 855-855-4626 or text “FOOD” to 720.HFC-EAT5 for help in locating a site. Both English and Spanish speaking operators are available to assist you.

Do these sites offer activities?

Many, but not all, sites have enrichment and recreational activities. Some of these activities include arts and crafts, tutoring, mentoring, drama, or reading activities.

Who funds the Summer Food Service Program?

The Summer Food Service Program is federally funded under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the Colorado Department of Education.

What kind of food is served at these sites?

Summer Food sites serve nutritionally balanced meals that meet USDA guidelines. All lunches, for example, include a serving of milk, two servings of fruits and/or vegetables, a serving of grains, and at least one serving of protein. Not all sites serve the same meals. Meals may include:

  • Breakfast
  • Morning Snack
  • Lunch
  • Afternoon Snack
  • Supper

There is no site in my area. What can I do to be sure that one is available for the children in my area next summer?

If there are no summer food sites in your community, you can help establish a program for next summer. In order for a summer food site to exist in your community, a sponsor must be identified and agree to be responsible for the administration of the program. Sponsors can be a school district, non-profit organization, community-based organization, faith-based organization, or local government agency. To begin mobilizing your community, contact the following groups and tell them there is an interest in your community to feed children in the summer.

  • Your local school officials such as school food service managers, superintendents, principals, teachers, and school board members.
  • Local government officials such as the mayor’s office, city council, county commissioners, or other elected officials
  • Service organizations such as the local food bank and food pantry organizations in your community

Additionally, call Hunger Free Colorado’s Child Nutrition team at 720.328.1284 and we can help you take those first steps by connecting potential sites to sponsors in your community.

I want to help, what else can I do?

Volunteer! The best SFSP sites have organized, well-run activities that keep the interest of the children and teens coming back to the site day after day. Some of these activities include arts and crafts, tutoring, mentoring, drama, sports, computer training, music, gardening, reading programs, cooking or any other creative ideas you may have. Many sites have enlisted local fire and police departments, local celebrities, local businesses and local political figures to make presentations to their SFSP sites. The only limitation is your imagination.

Assistance Referrals

The Hunger Free Hotline – Food Assistance Resource

The Hunger Free Hotline is a toll-free multi-lingual call center that:

  • Provides referrals to emergency food resources including soup kitchens, congregate meals, kids programs, meals on wheels, senior programs, pantries, holiday meals sites, etc.
  • Screens eligibility for ALL federal nutrition programs (SNAP, WIC, TEFAP, CSFP, FDPIR, etc.)
  • Offers SNAP application assistance over the phone.

Resource navigators ask high-level screening questions and tailor guidance to each caller’s unique situation in English and Spanish.

  • Statewide, Toll-Free: (855) 855-4626
  • Denver Metro: (720) 382-2920

Colorado Department of Human Services – Food Assistance Program (SNAP)

CDHS assists struggling Colorado families who need food, cash, and energy assistance to provide for their families; families in need of safe and affordable child care; children at risk of abuse or neglect; families who struggle to provide care for their adult children with developmental disabilities; youth who have violated the law and need structure and guidance to grow into responsible and compassionate adults; Coloradoans who need effective treatment for mental illness or substance abuse issues; and families who need resources to care for their elderly parents or nursing home care for their veteran parents.

The Food Assistance Program provides food benefits to low income households. Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards are issued and are used like cash at most grocery stores to buy food; ensuring that they have access to a healthy diet.

Colorado PEAK – Public Assistance Portal

Colorado Peak is an online service for Coloradoans to screen themselves and apply for medical, food, and cash assistance programs.

Colorado 2-1-1 – Health and Human Services Information and Referral Hotline

Colorado 2-1-1 provides free information and referrals to all kinds of services: homeless shelters, child care, after-school programs, affordable health care, mental health counseling, and much more.