DATE: April 6, 2020
WHAT: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dairy MAX- in partnership with the Denver Broncos and Fuel up to Play 60— will contribute $50,000 to the COVID-19 Emergency School Nutrition Fund to support local schools with the purchase of resources needed for meal distribution and delivery, as well as protective gear for sanitation and safety. Each school can receive up to $3,000 in grant funds, administered by GENYOUth. Application and additional information can be found at www.dairymax.org.
The COVID-19 Emergency School Nutrition Fund will be executed as part of Fuel Up To Play 60 program, which promotes student health and wellness through nutrition education, access to nutrient-rich foods and increased physical activity opportunities.
WHO: Schools impacted by closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dairy MAX, the Denver Broncos, GENYOUth and FUTP 60.
WHY: Almost 1 million local kids rely on government subsidized school meals for a substantial portion of their daily nutrition, and this necessary nutrition has been impacted by more than 124,000 U.S. public and private school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While federal funding continues to support school feeding programs, additional funding is crucial to provide schools with the necessary resources for food storage, single-serve packaging, distribution, delivery and sanitation/safety protective gear as they adapt to new means of delivering healthy meals to our nation’s children. The COVID-19 Emergency School Nutrition Fund has been put in place to help schools meet those additional needs.
“Local dairy farmers have a longstanding commitment to making sure kids have access to nutritious food, and it’s more important now than ever before,” said Rick Podtburg, dairy farmer and Dairy MAX board chairman.
Shannon Solomon, Assistant Director of Operations for Aurora Public Schools Nutrition Services adds, “Our Nutrition Services Department consistently serves nourishment and fuel to our students daily. Our community has voiced the immediate need by their participation in our new platform. In just nine days, we have distributed more than 70,000 meals to our community. It is critical that we continue to do our part to ensure our "new normal" stays consistent to our mission and purpose! We are blessed and thankful to participate with ALL the Nutrition Services Superheroes across this great country in feeding the nation's future.”
Launched in 2009 by the National Dairy Council and National Football league, in partnership with the USDA, FUTP 60 is the nation’s largest in-school wellness program and is supported locally by Dairy MAX and the Denver Broncos.
“Right now is a time for us all to come together to help each other,” says Justin Simmons, safety for the Denver Broncos. “My family and I have supported school meals directly through the Denver Public Schools Foundation’s food fund, and I’m proud to continue that support through my partner Fuel Up To Play 60. I have worked with FUTP 60 for the past two years talking to kids about eating right and staying active, and now these grants will help schools continue to serve the meals kids need.”
Applications will be reviewed and approved on a rolling basis and can be accessed at www.dairymax.org. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
DAIRY MAX CONTACT: Elan Carmichael | Manager, Communications carmichaele@DairyMax.org
