City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: APRIL 23, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: HASHIM T. TAYLOR, DIRECTOR, RECREATION, PARKS, AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application to the Virginia Department of Education for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Food Service Program for Children.
BODY
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ISSUE: Submission of a grant application to the Virginia Department of Education for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to fund the Summer Food Service Program for Children.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Authorize the submission of the grant application due on or about May 15, 2026, to the Virginia Department of Education for United States Department of Agriculture for continued funding and an estimated reimbursement amount of $230,000 for program expenses.
2. Affirm that there are no funds available in the City budget to continue these
activities once the grant funds are expended; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be
required.
BACKGROUND: The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA) has administered the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) since 1979. To participate, program sites must meet the criteria established by the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program of USDA. The site must be "located in a geographical area served by a school or center in which 50 percent or more of the enrolled children are eligible for free or reduce priced meals." Eligible programs will be able to serve up to two of the following meals: breakfast, am snack, lunch or pm snack, at no cost to the participants. The meal program will commence on June 15, 2026, and will operate Monday through Friday, excluding the June 19, July 4 holidays and end August 8, 2026.
As with the USDA After School Snack Program, the Department will contract with the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) School Nutrition Services to prepare and deliver meals to 16 Summer programs. Since ACPS and RPCA cannot both sponsor meals at the same locations, RPCA and ACPS will work closely together to ensure that meals are provided at all summer program sites either under ACPS during the weeks when summer school is in session or RPCA sponsorship throughout all the summer months. The locations of these programs are Charles Barrett, Charles Houston, Leonard Armstrong, Mount Vernon, Nannie J. Lee, Patrick Henry, and William Ramsay Recreation Centers; RPCA programs at Douglas MacArthur, James Polk, John Adams School, and F.T. Day Schools; Therapeutic Recreation at Lee Center; Campagna Kids at George Mason and Patrick Henry Schools; ARHA at Ruby Tucker Center; and the Boys and Girls Club. Other City based youth serving organizations may participate under RPCA sponsorship upon request and in accordance with the program requirements.
DISCUSSION: The Recreation Services Division provides meals to the summer participants in the RPCA Out of School Time Programs which will operate Monday through Friday from 9am-6pm for eight weeks at neighborhood recreation centers and school facilities throughout the city. The weeks of operation have been adjusted this year due to the later opening of ACPS schools on August 24. The RPCA Out of School Time Program provides recreational activities, enrichment opportunities, physical fitness, and social interaction for youth ages six to fourteen years. In addition, RPCA sponsors the meals for summer programs offered by the Campagna Center, Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, and the Alexandria Boys and Girls Club.
FISCAL IMPACT: The meals must be served free of charge to receive reimbursement from the USDA. There is no requirement for the City to provide either cash or an in-kind match for this program. However, the City is responsible for the normal administrative costs associated with this grant. These costs include financial and reporting oversight provided by the administering agency (Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities), as well as by the Office of Management and Budget and by the Finance Department. It should be noted that there are no additional monies available in the City budget to continue these activities once the estimated $230,000 in program funds has been exhausted. While USDA funding for this program has not yet been confirmed for the summer period, RPCA is preparing the application based on the annual process. Should any changes to the program or funding be announced, RPCA will update City Council.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
STAFF:
Aletha Predeoux, Deputy City Manager
Hashim Taylor, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Faye Malaski-Morgan, Division Chief/Finance, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Laura Durham, Deputy Director, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Randy M. Little, Division Chief/Recreation Services, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Consuella Barbour, Analyst, Office of Management and Budget