Weekly Message from Superintendent Christopher A. Koch features Rise & Shine
Rise & Shine Illinois Breakfast Grant Opportunity Available to Schools
NUTRITION AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS
FEBRUARY 9, 2015 — “Rise & Shine Illinois is offering grants of up to $5,000 to help schools cover the costs of providing free breakfast to students in need.
Under the School Breakfast Program (SBP), federal reimbursements are available to all public schools for breakfasts served to low-income children yet only 45 percent of eligible students actually receive breakfast.
Participation is often low because breakfast is either served in isolation before the start of the school day or there is a stigma surrounding students needing free or reduced-price meals.
Rise & Shine Illinois works with schools to reduce these barriers to participation by implementing alternative breakfast models such as Breakfast in the Classroom and Grab N Go.
While the cost of food for the SBP is reimbursed, schools need equipment and supplies, such as insulated bags, point-of-service terminals, Grab N Go carts and trash cans to make this program work. Rise & Shine Illinois offers grants to cover these extra expenses.
Rise & Shine Illinois has awarded $200,000 total to schools throughout the state since 2013, helping to increase breakfast participation in some districts by more than 200 percent.
Grants for 2015 are available for up to $5,000 each. The next application deadline is Feb. 15. Contact schoolbreakfast@gcfd.org to apply.”