| SENATE MAJORITY OFFICE State Capitol
|
News Release
June 16, 2011
CONTACT: Molly Woon (503) 986-1074
Senate bill will help provide nutritious meals to low-income children
SB 480 provides start-up funds for after school programs to offer meals
SALEM – Legislation that will allow more Oregon after school programs to provide healthy meals passed in the Oregon Senate this morning. Senate Bill 480 will allocate funds to the Oregon Department of Education, allowing the Department to administer grants to schools districts, government agencies, and community groups that are eligible to participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Afterschool Meal and Snack Program.
“This program is incredibly important to the health and wellness of thousands of low-income children in Oregon,” said Senator Suzanne Bonamici (D-NW Portland/Washington Co.), chief sponsor of the legislation. “Many schools and organizations are eligible and interested in offering nutritious afterschool meals, but lack the resources to get the program started. These start-up grants will allow more locations to serve hungry Oregon kids.”
The USDA’s Afterschool Meal and Snack Program is designed to give children and low-income youth an additional nutritious meal or snack while involving them in supervised and safe activities during the afternoon. Currently, many schools and community groups are unable to participate because they lack the appropriate equipment to set up the program, including refrigeration and food preparation areas. Senate Bill 480 will help more Oregon schools, agencies and community groups participate in this program by allocating grants to get programs off the ground with the necessary equipment.
“Far too many children in East Multnomah County live with hunger day after day. An after school meal can make a big difference in their overall health and ability to learn,” said Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson (D-Gresham). “These start-up funds will help more schools and community groups participate in a program that addresses a serious need for our low-income communities.”
SB 480 allows grants of up to $10,000 each, with a total of $150,000 available to award to applicants. Support for SB 480 includes Oregon educators, Portland Parks and Recreation, The Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force, Partners for a Hunger-free Oregon and others.
The bill now goes to the House floor for a vote.
###