The American Rescue Plan (ARP) expanded access to meals for youth experiencing homelessness by allowing shelters to be reimbursed for meals served to children and young adults under 25 years old through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The usual age limit for meal reimbursement is through age 18.

Nonprofit shelters providing temporary housing to individuals 24 years old or younger are eligible to use CACFP under the ARP expansion. Examples of shelters eligible to use CACFP under include those that serve children and/or youth (18 to 24 years old), family shelters, maternity group homes, and domestic violence shelters.

FRAC has developed a communications toolkit to help you spread the word and make the most of the expanded CACFP benefits. The toolkit includes customizable social media graphics and captions, flyers, fact sheets, and email update templates. It also includes links where you can find potentially eligible shelters in your area to connect with.

 

Table of contents:

Sample Social Media Graphics:

Download and Share sample social media. All social media graphics can be customized with your logo and text.

Tip: Be sure to tag your senators and representatives on Twitter.

Tag Us: FRAC’s social media handles include @fractweets (Twitter), @Food Research and Action Center (Facebook), @fracgram (Instagram)

Sample Social Media Captions:

  • Shelters serving youth experiencing homelessness can now be reimbursed for meals served to youth under 25 years old through the #CACFP. Take advantage of these essential resources: [InsertStateAgencySite] #AmericanRescuePlan
  • Does your shelter serve meals to youth experiencing homelessness? You can be reimbursed through the #CACFP. Through the #AmericanRescuePlan, shelters can be reimbursed for meals served to youth under 25 years old. Visit [InsertStateAgencySite] to learn more.
  • Under the new #AmericanRescuePlan, shelters can now be reimbursed for meals through the #CACFP. Does your shelter serve youth under 25 years old experiencing homelessness? Find out if you’re eligible through [InsertStateAgencySite]. #EndHungerNow

Click here to download all the social media captions

 

Flyers and Fact Sheets:

Flyers

Tell shelter providers they can use CACFP to receive reimbursement for meals served to youth 24 years old or younger. 

Fact Sheets

Learn more about CACFP at shelters and inform shelter providers on this source of funding.

Download all the flyers and fact sheets here. Each can be customized with your logo and text.

Email Templates

Sample Email 1 – To Shelters Serving CACFP Meals

If your shelter currently serves meals and snacks through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) as an emergency shelter or an at-risk center, you can be reimbursed for meals served to young adults 24 years of age or younger. These additional resources can provide your shelter with a steady stream of federal funds to enhance and expand meal service.

Any questions about CACFP? Contact the [INSERT STATE] state agency for more information: [INSERT STATE AGENCY CONTACT]

 

Sample Email 2 – To Shelters Not Yet Serving CACFP Meals

Did you know that shelters like yours can be reimbursed for meals and snacks served to children and youth?

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides shelters with a steady and sustainable stream of federal funds to enhance meal service to children and youth at risk of hunger. Under normal circumstances, shelters are reimbursed for meals served to children through the age of 18. Now, shelters can be reimbursed for meals served to young adults 24 years of age or younger. These additional resources can provide your shelter with a steady stream of federal funds to enhance and expand meal service.

Want to apply for CACFP? Contact the [INSERT STATE] state agency to start your shelter’s application: [INSERT STATE AGENCY CONTACT]

 

Sample Email 3 – To Your Partner Organizations

Emergency shelters can now be reimbursed for meals and snacks served to young adults 24 years of age or younger through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)! These additional resources can provide shelters in [INSERT STATE] with a steady stream of federal funds to enhance and expand meal service.

Help us spread the word and connect emergency shelters to this essential resource! You can use sample messaging and graphics in the Food Research & Action Center’s Outreach Toolkit [INSERT FRAC TOOLKIT LINK] to spread the word to your networks.

You can copy and paste the above emails or download as a word document.

Model State or Local Press Release

Healthy Meals During Crisis: USDA Expands Reimbursement to Shelters for Meals Served to Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness

USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is now reimbursing emergency shelters for nutritious meals served to young adults 18 through 24 years of age. These reimbursements began on March 11, 2021 and will continue until the COVID-19 public health emergency is lifted.

The American Rescue Plan provides funding for states to increase meal service in emergency shelters to young adults at risk of hunger during a stressful time of housing instability. Under normal circumstances, emergency shelters can serve CACFP meals and snacks to children and youth through the age of 18 years. These expanded reimbursements can provide shelters in [INSERT STATE] with a steady stream of federal funds to enhance and expand meal service to these vulnerable populations experiencing food hardship.

[Note: Insert a quote]

Model quote: “The levels of food insecurity and housing instability during the COVID-19 pandemic have been unprecedented,” said [name, position at organization]. “These expanded CACFP reimbursements provide shelters in [state or city name] with essential resources to meet the growing needs of children, youth, and young adults experiencing homelessness. If shelters aren’t already participating in CACFP, we encourage them to apply.”

 

Media Contact:

Name, email, phone number

Organization’s name and website link

 

You can copy and paste the above model press release template or download as a word document.

Where Do I Find Shelters to Reach Out To?

To locate eligible shelters in your area, check out the following links.

I’m a Shelter Operator. How Do I Apply for CACFP?

To apply for CACFP for your shelter, contact your state agency.

Need more Information?