Project helps cities fight childhood hunger

 A program through the National League of Cities (NLC) is helping 11 cities across the country reduce childhood hunger. As part of the Cities Combating Hunger through Afterschool Meal Programs (CHAMP), the cities will receive grants and guidance to increase children’s participation in the federal Afterschool Meal Program.

 Cities participating in NLC’s CHAMP initiative will receive grants of up to $60,000 and technical assistance, including information on best practices and access to national experts. The 11 cities in the CHAMP initiative include Boise, Idaho; Bridgeport,
Conn.; Charlottesville, Va.; Chicago; Denver; Las Vegas, Nashville, Tenn.; Omaha, Neb.; Northfield, Minn.; and Orlando and Tampa, Fla.

 NLC is coordinating the project in partnership with the Washington-based Food Research and Action Center with support from the Walmart Foundation. Cities in the project were selected from participants in two NLC leadership academies last May, as well as cities that have developed coordinated systems of after school programming.

 The federal Afterschool Meal Program reimburses city agencies, schools and nonprofit organizations that provide nutritious meals at after school and weekend programs for children and youth. Programs can receive the federal funding if they have an educational or enrichment component and are located in an area in which at least 50 percent of the children are qualified for free and reduced-price school meals.

 The CHAMP project is scheduled to conclude in December. Information about the project is available on the NLC website.