Children need food to thrive!
Thank you for being a part of our children’s programs. You make a difference in ensuring that all children in SW Virginia have enough to eat. We are grateful for your partnership.
When children don’t get enough to eat, they are more likely to experience developmental delays and repeat a grade in school. They are also more likely to have social and behavioral problems. Thanks to partners like you, we are able to get children the food they need, when they need it most.
Ms. Brandon Comer
Director of Children’s Programs
540 342 3011 x 7023
bcomer@feedingswva.org
Summer Feeding (SFSP)
The Summer Feeding Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally funded , state administered program that requires all sites to meet the USDA Eligibility Requirements. SFSP reimburses program operators who serve free, healthy meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and snacks (a.m. or p.m.) to children and teens in at risk and low-income areas. Your site is able to choose up to two meals to serve to the children. (Exception- USDA does not allow sites to choose a combination of lunch and dinner.)
Feeding SWVA is the Sponsor- we absorb all the costs. As well, we will submit all federal and state paperwork and conduct all required USDA monitors for each site to ensure compliance with all guidelines of the program.
Sites are responsible to send in weekly meal counts and monthly inventory. An application must be submitted and approved by Feeding SWVA in order to participate in the program.
This program is a congregate style feeding program. This program runs when school is not in session.
For more information contact kidsprograms@feedingSWVA.org
SFSP Application Forms
SFSP Program Forms
At Risk After School Feeding (Child and Adult Care Food Program- CACFP)
The At Risk After School Feeding Program (CACFP) is a federally funded, state administered program. CACFP reimburses program operators who serve free healthy, balanced meals(dinner) and snacks to children and teens in at risk and low-income areas.
Feeding SWVA is the Sponsor- we absorb all the costs. We will submit all federal and state paperwork as well as conduct all required USDA monitors for each site to ensure compliance with all guidelines of the program.
Sites are responsible for weekly meal counts and monthly inventory. An application must be submitted and approved by Feeding SWVA in order to participate in this program. Sites are required to offer some type of enrichment with each meal distributed.
This program is a congregate style feeding program.
This program runs when school is in session and typically, runs during the after-school hours of the day.
For more information contact kidsprograms@feedingswva.org
CACFP Application Forms
CACFP Program Forms
Summer Feeding Rural Non-Congregate (SFSP RN-C)
The Summer Feeding Food Service Program, Rural Non-Congregate is a federally funded, state administered program that requires all sites to meet the USDA Eligibility Requirements. SFSP reimburses program operators who serve free, healthy meals(breakfast, lunch, dinner) and snacks (a.m. or p.m.) to children and teens in at-risk and low-income areas. Your site can choose up to two meals to serve. (Exception=USDA does not allow sites to choose a combination of lunch and dinner.)
Feeding SWVA is the Sponsor. We absorb all the costs. In addition, we will submit all federal and state paperwork and conduct all required USDA monitors for each site to ensure compliance with all guidelines of the program.
Sites are responsible to send in weekly meal counts and monthly inventory. An application must be submitted and approved by Feeding SWVA in order to participate in the program.
This program is a non-congregate style feeding program- the site can provide meals through a Grab-and-Go service or by Home Delivery. This program runs when school is not in session.
For more information contact kidsprograms@feedingswva.org
Kids Farmers Markets (KFM)
The Kids Farmers Market Program is an interactive experience that provides free produce and nutrition education to children of families who may not have the financial means to purchase produce on a consistent basis or who do not have access to a reliable source of produce. Children also learn valuable financial literacy skills in the process by purchasing produce using ” Food Bank Bucks”, a faux currency. While shopping down the line, children can choose to spend their Food Bank Bucks on a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Children make their own choices of produce and take it home to share with their families.
Nutritional educational flyers are also distributed alongside the produce. Information about how fruits and vegetables are grown, how they are cooked and used and learning activities that promote using fresh produce instead of processed food are available.
This program runs alongside our sites serving SFSP and/or CACFP. We offer Pop Up Kids Farmers Markets year-round with any partner serving SFSP or CACFP meals.
For more information contact kidsprograms@feedingSWVA.org
Cafe To Grow Food Truck
When the truck is not serving children’s meals, it is available for a limited number of Special Events for children and their families. Do you have an event that will serve children at risk of food insecurity in the Roanoke Valley? Please contact Ms. Brandon Comer, Director of Children’s Programs, for more information.
540-342-3011 x7023 or by email at bcomer@feedingswva.org
Please allow a minimum of 4 weeks between your request and the date of your event.
Agency Backpack Program
The mission of the Backpack Program is to provide at risk children with food on weekends and holidays when school meals are not available. Feeding Southwest Virginia supplies partner agencies with backpack-friendly food for purchase, which is subsequently packed and distributed to children who receive free or reduced-price school meals during the week. Backpacks are distributed on weekends and holiday breaks to ensure children have the food they need at home.
Feeding SWVA is the food bank providing the food for purchase to agency partners. This program is also funded in part by grant funding from various sources.
Agencies are responsible for the purchase, packing and distribution of all backpacks as well as turning in monthly distribution reports.
An application must be submitted and approved by Feeding SWVA in order to participate in this program.
For more information contact backpacks@feedingswva.org
Backpack Programs
Backpacks Unite
Feeding Southwest Virginia is grateful to the United Way of Southwest Virginia for launching this program several years ago. Today, the Food Bank is eager to continue this fine tradition of securing funding and volunteers to implement this meaningful backpack program. For the 2023-2024 School Year, this program will serve approximately 550 children with weekend meal bags during the 2023-24 school year. Eighteen elementary and middle schools across six counties and one city in far Southwest Virginia are participating in the program. If you are a participating sponsor, we are so grateful for your dedication to feeding children. If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact either:
Brandon Comer, bcomer@feedingswva.org
Director of Children’s Programs
Joan Hawsey, jhawsey@feedingswva.org
Volunteer and Development Manager
The School Pantry Program
School Pantries are food pantries that are conveniently and comfortably located on-site at schools for students and families in need. The School Pantries complement school breakfast and lunch programs, providing access to food for children and their families after the school day has ended. Every School Pantry is unique. But the focus is always to feed children/teens items that are shelf stable, nutritious and easy to prepare. Some School Pantries may choose to expand the selection and offer more fresh produce and additional items that can address the food insecurity needs of the entire family.
For more information contact schoolpantry@feedingswva.org