DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Lewiston School Nutrition Program is participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided at no charge to children attending school up to 18 years old. Meals are the same for all children who are attending summer programs at the end of the school year throughout the city.

If you are running a summer program in Lewiston that provides enrichment at a recreation center, playground, church youth group, park, day care center, etc. for school-age children, you may be eligible.

For more information about qualifications for your summer organization or program to participate as a site, please call the Lewiston School Nutrition Program at 795-4106.

Please note that if your site is approved, all meals must be eaten at the approved site, because children are not allowed to remove food from the approved site location, such as schools, recreation centers, parks, playgrounds, day care centers, churches, etc.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement: For all other FNS nutrition assistance programs, state or local agencies, and their subrecipients, must post the following Nondiscrimination Statement:

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint filine_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call(566) 632-9992.

Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or fax to 1-202- 690-7442. You can also email it to program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. — Jeanie, no town

ANSWER: Sun Spots helps to make these announcements periodically because this free lunch program pertains to so many children who attend summer activities and spend time at sites that would qualify. Please share this information so the program can help as many children as possible receive the important nutrition they need. The funds are there so they should be utilized to the fullest throughout the communities. Having several sites signed up helps to ensure that the program will continue.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name. We won’t use it if you ask us not to. Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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