MEDIA RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 20, 2019                                                                                              

Summer Feeding Program in Union County

Union, South Carolina – Union County School District will be piloting a summer feeding program at Union County High School this summer.  Any child or teen ages 18 years old or younger will be able to eat lunch on site at no cost to them. 

The summer feeding program will begin on Monday, June 3, 2019 and will operate through Thursday, August 8, 2019, depending upon participation.  Days of operation will be Monday through Thursday, and closed on July 3^rd and 4^th.

Lunch service will be held in the high school cafeteria between the hours of 11 AM and 1 PM, with ending times subject to change.

Summer lunches will meet federal nutrition standards and will include a daily choice of either an entrée or a vegetarian entree option, vegetable and fruit options, grain, and milk.  Summer menus and additional information will be posted on the UCSD Food and Nutrition Services website.

For more information, please contact Jonathan Smoak, Director of Food and Nutrition Services, at 864-429-1748, extension 717 or jsmoak@union.k12.sc.us.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at:  http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1)   mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2)   fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3)  email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Returns to Union County
 
May 21, 2019 -- The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) returns this summer with the goals of supplementing the diets of low-income seniors with fresh, nutritious produce and supporting South Carolina's small farmers.
The seasonal USDA grant program allows individuals 60 and older to purchase unprocessed fruits and vegetables from authorized farmers’ markets, roadside stands and community-supported agriculture programs May through October 15.
 
Participants receive $25 in the form of five checks of $5 to spend at authorized locations. Checks are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
The vouchers will be issued from 1 to 4 p.m. June 5 and June 19 at Union County Council on Aging, 237 North Gadberry St., Union.
Eligibility Process
1.    Attend a distribution event
2.    Complete the application
3.    Provide proof of identity and residence in the county
4.    Self-declare amount of household income
5.    If eligible, participants receive the $25 benefit
 
Individuals wishing to apply for homebound seniors must provide a statement from the senior granting permission to submit an application on their behalf. Proof of identity and proof of income for the homebound senior must be presented at the time of application.
Now in 42 counties, it began as a pilot program in six. The SFMNP is administered by the South Carolina Department of Social Services and county Agencies on Aging. For more information, contact Seandra Kelly at (803) 898–1760 or Seandra.Kelly@dss.sc.gov.
 
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
 
(1)        mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;                       
 
(2)        fax: (202) 690-7442; or                          (3)        email: program.intake@usda.gov
 
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

The Academy of Arts traveling drama team will be presenting “Marked for Greatness” on Wednesday, June 19 at 7pm. This is a free event open to the public at Philippi Baptist Church.

“Marked for Greatness” is the story of Adoniram Judson, the first American foreign missionary to Burma. This drama will powerfully portray the beginning of Adoniriam’s life as he excels in his education, runs from God and tries to reject Him, finally commits to Christ, falls in love and is married, and surrenders to give up everything to serve the Lord in Burma. This 45-50 minute presentation will move audiences to see God’s hand at work and inspire them to answer the call of God in their own lives! It will also include one song to highlight to Gospel message of the presentation.

The Academy of Arts has been traveling the nation since 1971 “Making the Bible Come Alive”. Their headquarters, the Logos Theatre, is located in Taylors, SC where they perform professional, family-friendly stage drama’s year-round!

For more information about the drama group, visit theAcademyofArts.org or call (864) 268-9342. For information regarding the presentation of “Marked for Greatness”, please contact the Philippi church office at (864) 427-8726.

The Union County Democratic Party will meet Monday, June 24, 6:00 p.m., City of Union, 101 Sharpe Avenue.  Open to the public.