volunteers serving food to children in Georgia

Join the Program as a Happy Helpings Sponsor

Become a Happy Helpings Sponsor for the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program and help fill the tummies of Georgia’s kids.

Approved sponsors are reimbursed for serving meals that meet Federal nutritional guidelines to children 18 years and younger. Meals and snacks are also available to persons with disabilities, over age 19, who participate in school programs for people who are mentally or physically disabled.

DOWNLOAD THE FACT SHEET

Who can sponsor Happy Helpings?

If your organization provides services to the community as a nonprofit organization, you may be eligible to become a Happy Helpings Sponsor. Organizations must be financially viable and administratively capable of managing a food service program.

 

What Type of Organizations are Eligible?

  • Public or private nonprofit schools
  • Units of local, municipal, county, tribal, or state government
  • Private, nonprofit organizations
  • Public or private nonprofit camps
  • Public or private nonprofit universities or colleges

FY26 Target Counties

In 2025, 50 Georgia counties did not have a Happy Helpings meal site. For Summer 2026, we are focused on reaching these underserved areas and working toward our goal of expanding access to meals for children in 159 Georgia counties.

Hear from participating Sponsors about their experience with Happy Helpings

Interested in Becoming a Happy Helpings Sponsor?

Start the process to become a Sponsor and give kids a healthier, happier summer.

Step 1
Request & Complete the Viability Screening 

Step 2
Attend a two-day New Sponsor Training

Step 3
Complete the 3-part application

Watch this video to learn more about the steps to apply for Happy Helpings. 

If you are interested in taking the next step to become a Happy Helpings sponsor, please complete the following form. 








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    Select all that apply
    Independent AuditAudited financial statements performed by a CPA within the last 2 yearsBank statements for all accounts in the name of the organization for the last 12 months, AND the organization’s annual financial statements (statement of cash flow, profit and loss, statement of activity, balance sheet) AND Payroll tax records issued for the last 12 months for all organization employees and contractors AND the most recent tax form 990 and 941 or 940.I cannot provide any of the above financial documentation for my nonprofit organization.

    How to Become a Meal Site

    In communities all across Georgia, we depend on nonprofit organizations like yours to operate the meal sites where kids can receive healthy meals and snacks—absolutely free of charge.

    And while some organizations do not have the financial means or administrative support to become a sponsor, they can still supervise the food service for children alongside any recreational or enrichment activities already provided on site.

    Together we can work to provide meals to school-age children in every county.

    If your organization would consider serving as a Happy Helpings meal site, please contact any approved program sponsor.

    FIND A PROGRAM SPONSOR

    The need for meal sites throughout Georgia is significant. Last summer, there were 50 Georgia counties without access to a Happy Helpings Meal Site.

    Five of those counties without access include: Early, Stewart, Telfair, Treutlen and Warren had a child food insecurity rate of greater than 30 percent with many others across the state also exceeding this threshold.

    If your organization is deemed eligible to become a Happy Helpings Sponsor, please consider serving meals in one these counties.

    See the child food insecurity rate in your county

    Click here for answers to frequently asked questions by sponsors.

    Families Resources