CRYP is Serving Meals at 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday Through Friday at Cokata Wiconi
On the 2.8-million-acre Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in remote north-central South Dakota, many children rely on their schools’ breakfast and lunch programs to get two full, healthy meals a day. After school, they turn to the Cheyenne River Youth Project® on East Lincoln Street, where they can get a nutritious snack and hearty supper before going home for the evening.
But what happens to those families whose children are too young to attend The Main Youth Center or the Cokata Wiconi Teen Center? And what do they do if they have no resources for even one full meal a day? The hard reality of life on Cheyenne River is that families struggle to even pay for gas money to reach the grocery store, much less purchase all the food they need to take care of their children.
That’s why CRYP has joined forces with Running Strong for American Indian Youth® to host the Alexandria, Washington-based organization’s 2012 Summer Youth Feeding Program. Currently under way, the program will run through August 10.
“We’re serving meals at our Cokata Wiconi Teen Center from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,” said Julie Garreau, CRYP’s executive director. “The program is free to ages 1 through 18; we just ask that children under the age of 5 be accompanied by an adult.
“This is a critical program for children on Cheyenne River,” she continued. “Ziebach County is the poorest in the United States, and it has the highest child poverty rate. Without summer feeding programs, our kids would spend much of their summer vacation hungry.”
According to Lauren Haas Finkelstein, Running Strong’s executive director, the program first took shape when local teachers informed Running Strong staff that many of their students were returning from summer vacation feeling lethargic and having lost weight.
“We knew we had to act,” she said. “Now, every summer, we feed children five days a week at several community centers (see sidebar) across the Cheyenne River reservation. All kids have to do is show up, and we provide them with free healthy meals, including milk and fresh fruit.”
Garreau said CRYP staff and volunteers are thrilled to be helping with this summer’s youth feeding program, as it ensures a healthy, hearty meal for any child who needs one.
“Kids can’t be kids when their basic needs aren’t being met, and that strikes at the core of who we are,” she said. “We want to support our Cheyenne River families and help them provide for their children. We also want to set our children free, so they can enjoy the summer like kids everywhere — and be ready for the start of a new school year.”
Running Strong’s summer youth feeding program is made possible through a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (voice). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Services at (800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
For more information about the summer feeding program, call Stacie Lee at 605-964-2375.
To learn more about the Cheyenne River Youth Project® and its programs, and for information about making donations and volunteering, call (605) 964-8200 or visitwww.lakotayouth.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, visit the youth project’s Facebook “Cause” page. All Cause members will receive regular updates through Facebook.
The Cheyenne River Youth Project®, founded in 1988, is a grassroots, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing the youth of the Cheyenne River reservation with access to a vibrant and secure future through a wide variety of culturally sensitive and enduring programs, projects and facilities that ensure strong, self-sufficient families and communities.
PUBLIC RELEASE – MAY 15, 2012
SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM
American Indian Youth Running Strong announces its sponsorship of the Summer Food Service Program.
Sack Lunches (or Supper at the Cokata Wiconi Teen Center) will be served to all children under age 18 at no charge.
• Whitehorse – Community House 303 White Horse, SD – M,T,W,T,F 5/29/2012 –
8/10/2012 – Lunch 11:00 to 12:30 pm CDT
• LaPlante – LaPlante Church of God LaPlante, SD – M,T,W,T,F 5/29/2012 –
8/10/2012 – Lunch 11:00 to
12:30 pm MDT
• Cherry Creek – Cherry Creek Community Bld. Cherry Creek, SD – M,T,W,T,F 5/29/2012 –
8/10/2012 – Lunch 11:00 to 12:30 pm MDT
• Red Scaffold – Red Scaffold Community Bld. Red Scaffold, SD – M,T,W,T,F – 5/29/2012-
8/10/2012 – Lunch 11:00 to 12:30 pm MDT
• Bridger – Bridger Community Bld. Bridger, SD – M,T,W,T,F 5/29/2012 –
8/10/2012 – Lunch 11:00 to 12:30 pm MDT
•
Swift Bird
– Swift Bird Community Bld. Swift Bird, SD
M,T,W,T,F
5/29/2012 -8/10/2012
Lunch
11:00 to 12:30 pm MDT
• Eagle Butte
– Cokata Wiconi Teen Center Eagle Butte, SD
M,T,W,T,F
– 5/29/2012 – 8/10/2012
– Supper
4:30 to 6:30 pm MDT
For more information, contact Stacie Lee at 605-964-2375.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (voice). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Services at (800) 877-8339 or (800)845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer