The Orangeburg-Calhoun-Orangeburg-Bamberg Community Action Agency Inc. is sponsoring a federal food program, which provides nutritious meals and snacks to 2.9 million children daily nationwide.

OCAB will sponsor the United States Department of Agriculture’s Child and Adult Care Food Program, which the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service administers through grants to states. In addition to children, the program also provides meals and snacks to 86,000 adults who receive care in nonresidential adult day care centers.

All students enrolled in OCAB’s Head Start Program are eligible to participate in the program. Under the Head Start Program, breakfast, lunch and a nutritious snack are served each day to children ages 3 to 5.

“There are 704 eligible for that (in OCAB’s service region),” OCAB Executive Director Calvin Wright said. “Head Start (enrollment) is based on income. That means a good percent are eligible for the program at the time of enrollment. There are exceptions from time to time.”

Children who are members of Family Independence assistance units, food stamp or Food Distribution programs on Indian reservations are automatically eligible to receive free meal benefits.

For more information, families can visit the OCAB Central Office in Orangeburg at 1822 Joe S. Jeffords Hwy., or at the following Head Start centers: Allendale, 252 Marion St.; Bamberg, 211 Zeigler St.; Bowman, Bowman Elementary School, 131 Poplar St.; Denmark, 80 Cedar St.; Elloree, Elloree Elementary School, 200 Warrior Drive; Eutawville, St. James Elementary School, 155 Gardensgate Road; Family Literacy in Orangeburg, Brookdale Elementary School, 394 Brookdale Drive; Holly Hill, Holly Hill Elementary School, 1490 Brant Ave.; Neeses, 701 Rice Street; Orangeburg-North Road, 4215 North Road; St. Matthews, Guinyard Middle School, 110 Smoak St. and Santee, Santee Housing Project, 180 Cantey Drive, Apt. 200.

OCAB Head Start complies with federal law and USDA policy and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. Individuals who believe they have been the subject of discrimination can file a complaint by writing to: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410. Individuals can also call 1-800-795-3272 or 202-720-6382 (TTY).

OCAB works to eliminate the causes and conditions of poverty in the four-county area by developing strategies to ensure a better quality of life for disadvantaged and under-served residents.

You must be logged in to comment.