Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Seeks Community Partners to Host After School Meal Sites

The After School Meals Program runs throughout the school year.

Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (NDS) is seeking after school enrichment and educational programs to participate in its After School Meals Program. This vital initiative ensures that children and youth aged 18 or younger throughout the Greater Philadelphia area have access to wholesome and nourishing meals at no cost when the school day ends and on school holidays.

NDS’ After School Meals Program can be operated in various settings including schools, childcare centers, churches, community centers, clubs, and other agencies. Participating sites must be a non-profit organization, with a 501(c)3, and have access to refrigeration and storage for 2-3 days. Sites are also required to serve at least 25 children for three or more days per week. All meals are delivered daily “ready-to-eat” at no cost to the sites or the families being served.

All enrichment programs in the City of Philadelphia qualify for the federally funded program. Enrichment programs in the suburban areas can determine eligibility by contacting NDS at 215-895-3470.

“Kids are hungry after a long day at school. Providing meals in an after-school setting is a win, win for students and their families,” said Ms. Lizanne F. Hagedorn, Executive Director of NDS. “While participating in educational and enrichment activities, students are offered healthy and kid-tested meals that provide the nutrients needed for continued growth and development.”

In 2023, NDS’ After School Meals Program served 110 sites throughout the Greater Philadelphia area and provided approximately 570,000 meals and snacks to children.

To sign up for the After School Meals Program, please call 215-895-3470, option 4.  For additional information, please visit healthymealsforchildren.org/after-school-meals/.

The After School Meals Program is a component of the Child and Adult Care Food Program.  It is federally funded and operated nationally by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In this region, it is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement:

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

  1. mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
  2. fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. email:
    [email protected]

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Editor’s Note: For over 51 years, NDS’ mission has been to serve children and those in need with healthy food and food-related resources. NDS accomplishes its mission in two distinct ways: by administering the federally funded child nutrition programs and through the privately supported Community Food Program. For more information about NDS, please visit http://nutritionaldevelopmentservices.org/.  NDS is an equal opportunity service provider.

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Contact:
Katie Rogers
Media and Events Specialist for Catholic Human Services
215-587-3747 (office)