ARCHS' USDA Partnership has distributed 5,000 "Sesame Street: Food for Thought" packets to students in Saint Louis Public Schools. The packets focus on healthy food choices and gives children tips on how to make their own nutritious snacks.

The USDA awarded grant funding to Missouri this year to implement Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (SEBTC) for the summer of 2012. Through ARCHS, the funding will provide benefits this summer for approximately 5,300 eligible, randomly chosen, children who attend Saint Louis Public Schools. Chosen households are receiving $60 per month per child in June and July, and a pro-rated amount in May and August based upon the school district's schedule.

With 5,300 children expected to receive benefits this summer, St. Louis area stores and farmers' markets will redeem more than $800,000 in SEBTC benefits. This program is not open to the general public and participants have already been selected for this year.

ARCHS' USDA PARTNERSHIP PHOTO GALLERY

5,300 Children to be Served

The USDA has again awarded grant funding to Missouri to implement Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (SEBTC) for the summer of 2012. This summer, the funding will provide benefits for approximately 5,300 children in the Saint Louis Public Schools through ARCHS.

The Saint Louis Public School families selected for SEBTC benefits are in the process of being notified and will receive $60 per month per child in June and July, and a pro-rated amount in May and August based upon the school district’s schedule. With 5,300 children expected to receive benefits this summer, St. Louis area stores and farmer’s markets will redeem over $800,000 in SEBTC benefits. The benefits  expire when school resumes in August  because children will have  free and reduced price meals available during school hours.

All households in the demonstration areas with children from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade who receive free and reduced price meals at school were qualified to be considered for SEBTC. Because this was a demonstration project, some families were randomly selected this spring to receive the benefit and others, who were not selected, will participate in surveys. USDA requires the project to be evaluated each year by a national research firm, resulting in a report to Congress

Area Resources for Community and Human Services (ARCHS) has been selected by the State of Missouri to implement a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant.

Missouri will receive up to $2 million from the USDA to provide access to healthy foods to approximately 10,000 vulnerable children from the St. Louis, Kansas City, Hickman Mills and Center school districts next summer.

“No child should ever go hungry in Missouri; but unfortunately, many children who receive free or reduced-price meals are at risk of malnutrition during the summer,” said Gov. Jay Nixon. “I have long been a strong advocate for these programs to help children in need, and I’m pleased that Missouri is leading the way to help these children in the summer months as well.”

The Missouri project operates as a collaborative between the Department of Social Services; the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; the Department of Health and Senior Services; the Local Investment Commission (LINC) in Kansas City; ARCHS in St. Louis; and the Kansas City, St. Louis, Hickman Mills and Center school districts