Many are aware and appreciative of the kosher food boxes program - the Summer Food Services Program - which provided meals for tens of thousands of children in upstate NY this and last summer.
What many do not know, is that this summer the program almost did not occur.
In March, when these concerns first became known, Rabbis Yehoshua Pinkus and Ami Bazov of the Yeshiva Services Department at Agudath Israel of America initiated conversations with the NYS Education Department, which administers the program. NYSED had concerns that, with the many changes in the program due to COVID, removals of waivers, and overlapping seasonal communities, it would be difficult to properly run the program this summer and ensure duplication would not occur. After numerous meetings between Rabbis Pinkus, Bazov, Avrohom Weinstock, Agudah's Chief of Staff, and leading members of NYSED, a mutually agreeable plan was created, which consisted of an education campaign and implementing protocols so that meals for thousands of children could continue in an appropriate manner.
"We are very grateful to Kimberly Vumbaco, Director of Child Nutrition Program Administration, and her entire team at NYSED, for their flexibility and receptivity. With their help, it became possible to run this program on behalf of so many children this summer," said Rabbi Pinkus.
Additionally, the Yeshiva Services department held a webinar together with NYSED to explain the guidelines to relevant providers and address their questions. The Agudah also released a detailed infographic with specific guidelines and detail as to what constitutes duplication.
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