Celebrate Afterschool Programs with #LightsOnAfterschool! |
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We’re celebrating #LightsOnAfterschool on Thursday, October 26! Launched in October 2000, Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. The Afterschool Alliance organizes the event to draw attention to the many ways afterschool programs support students, from opportunities to discover new skills to further connecting with their peers. Afterschool programs can also provide healthy meals and snacks through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to support kids’ learning and health. During this year’s Lights On Afterschool celebration, join us in raising awareness of this important, but underutilized, opportunity to ensure kids and teens have access to healthy meals every school day. |
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Take Action Post on Social Media
Use the hashtag #LightsOnAfterschool to show your support and reach new audiences with information about afterschool meals. Please share these posts: - We’re celebrating #LightsOnAfterschool because afterschool programs – and #AfterschoolMeals – fuel learning, bolster healthy development & support working families. Learn how more programs can receive funding through #CACFP for healthy meals & snacks: AfterschoolMealsNY.org.
- Help spread the word about afterschool programs and their vital support to students! This #LightsOnAfterschool, learn how programs can build on their success by serving healthy meals and snacks through #CACFP: AfterschoolMealsNY.org
- More than one million #CACFP snacks and suppers were served to NY kids in afterschool programs in 2022. This #LightsOnAftershool, learn how you can nourish kids beyond the school day with #CACFP: AfterschoolMealsNY.org
Apply to be a CACFP Ambassador
Apply for our new CACFP Ambassador Program! The purpose of the program is to help raise awareness of CACFP, encourage provider enrollment, and offer peer-to-peer learning for increased CACFP utilization – including for afterschool meals and snacks – across New York State. Apply by December 15, 2023. Learn More About Afterschool Meals
Check out these resources to learn more about afterschool meals through CACFP: - Visit AfterschoolMealsNY.org to learn about CACFP eligibility, view sample menus, and more.
- Read the Food Research and Action Center’s new report, “Afterschool Suppers: A Snapshot of Participation,” which assesses participation nationally and in each state. The report shows that in New York in October 2022, fewer than 5 out of every 100 low-income students had access to CACFP afterschool meals. If 15 out of every 100 kids received an afterschool meal, New York could draw down over $9 million more in federal reimbursement. Improvements at the federal level – including Congressional action to lower area eligibility thresholds and streamline program operations – could dramatically increase access and participation. To learn more, join FRAC’s webinar on Thursday, October 26 at 3 p.m.
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