The geographical focus of the CFS 2008 Summer Food Program is the part of Cincinnati included in zip code 45225. This area includes the neighborhoods around Millvale and North Fairmount, including the Fay Apartments (the third largest low-income housing community in Cincinnati).
Low-income school age children in 45225 are able to receive breakfasts and lunches at school free of charge through federal programs. During the summer a federally funded food program is available at about 10 locations within zip code 45225. Unfortunately, this only provided an average of about 2,500 meals a week during summer 2007. The CFS 2008 Summer Food Program is designed to provide 1,000 'food sacks' a week.
Food sack assembly will occur at the Fay Apartments Community Center and other organizations that partner with CFS. These sacks of food do not need refrigeration. The contents of the sacks are carefully planned so that the food can be easily prepared with minimal use of kitchen equipment or appliances. Adult supervision will be required for only a few of the food sack items, such as boiling water for macaroni and cheese.
Assembling sacks at Fay Apartments
Each week, CFS will distribute the assembled food sacks through their partnerships with the Fay Apartments and the Millvale Recreation Center. As a result of CFS’ analysis of 2007 data associated with the operation of other summer lunch programs in 45225, CFS believes the most reliable way to get food to these children will be to take it into the neighborhoods where they live. There will be a total of 23 distribution points at Fay Apartments and 15 to 20 distribution points served by Millvale Recreation Center and the participating schools. The large number of distribution points will not only make it easier for children to get to the food sacks from where they live – it will also allow CFS, Millvale Recreation Center staff and Fay Apartments management to control the number of individuals accessing each distribution point and thereby ensure that the sacks get into the hands of low-income children.
To introduce children to the Summer Food Program and gain their interest, CFS will provide teachers at Ethel M. Taylor Academy and Roll Hill Elementary School with “sample” sacks in May 2008. Testing to fine-tune the Summer Food Program distribution system will also occur in May. The CFS 2008 Summer Food Program will begin on May 28, 2008 and end on August 13, 2008. Distribution will be on Wednesday of each week for 12 weeks.