Sumter School District's summer meal program begins June 12

Sumter School District will participate in the USDA non-congregate rural summer meal distribution starting Thursday, June 12. Eligible participants include Sumter County residents aged 18 and under, except for those already enrolled in summer programs where meals are provided through the USDA School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program. Meals will be provided by Sumter School District Food Service according to specific guidelines and are available for pickup by a parent or guardian only.

Registration link will open June 9. Find the link at the school district's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/SumterSCSchools.

A guardian is defined as an adult who has a direct caregiver relationship with a child and is authorized to pick up meals for that child. Parents/guardians will be asked to present a valid photo ID at the time meals are received.

Childcare providers and others caring for groups of unrelated children are not considered "guardians" and are not permitted to pick up program meals on behalf of parents or guardians for the children in their care.

The drive-up meal service is no longer available. Participants should plan to stand in line at each site's designated location to receive their meals.

Meal packs will consist of five pre-packaged lunch meals, each including an entrée, fruits, vegetables and milk. Additionally, the packs will contain five pre-packaged convenience breakfast meals along with milk.

Participants must select one site for weekly meal pickup, and registration is required each week. Scheduled distribution dates are subject to availability and may change.

Registration will open on June 9 at 8 a.m. and will close promptly at 4 p.m. on June 10 for June 12 distribution.

Registration will open on June 16 at 8 a.m. and will close promptly at 4 p.m. on June 17 for June 19 distribution.

Registration will open on June 23 at 8 a.m. and will close promptly at 4:00 p.m. on June 24 for June 26 distribution.

Registration will open on June 30 at 8 a.m. and will close promptly at 4:00 p.m. on July 1 for July 3 distribution.

Registration will open on July 7 at 8 a.m. and will close promptly at 4:00 p.m. on July 8 for July 10 distribution. July 10 will be the final meal distribution date.

Designated non-congregate distribution sites meet the USDA's rural classification. The following locations have been approved for this year's meal distribution. Each site will distribute meals on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon only.)

Crestwood High School - Outside the Fine Arts Center

Furman Middle School - Near the front entrance

Hillcrest Middle School - In the bus depot area

To ensure program integrity and accountability, parents or guardians must provide one of the following forms of documentation at the time of weekly pickup: official letter on school letterhead confirming student enrollment, email from the school confirming student enrollment, school-issued ID card, individual student report card, attendance record from the parent portal of the school's website or other official third-party identification or records.

For questions, contact Sumter School District Food Service at (803) 494-7112 or (803) 499-5950, Monday through Thursday. The offices are closed on Fridays.