Heber Elementary School District

Every meal we serve meets or exceeds the Federal Nutrition Standards for school meals. That’s our mission to you, and our students.

Meals are free of charge under PROVISION 2 to ALL HESD students.

Provision 2 Guidance National School Lunch

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Summer Feeding

Frequently Asked Questions
What are summer meals programs? Summer meals programs are funded by the USDA and designed to provide children and teens ages 18 and under with nutritious meals during the summer months when school is out of session.

What are the requirements for my child or teen to receive a meal? Do I have to fill out an application form? There is no application or registration required to receive a meal. You do not have to provide proof of income, residency, or citizenship. Just show up!

Do meals have to be eaten on-site? Yes. Due to federal regulations, all meals must be consumed on-site. Children can take one fruit, vegetable, or grain item from their meal offsite to eat later.

Is there a cost? No. All summer meals offered through the USDA’s programs are free to all kids and teens ages 18 and under.

Can parents or guardians pick up meals on behalf of their kids?  No. Due to changes at the federal level, parents and caregivers can no longer pick up meals on behalf of their kids, and meals must be consumed on-site.

How do I find a summer meals site in my community?  

• Call 211 or 1-866-3Hungry (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8Hambre (1-877-842-6273).
• Text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304; Text SUMMER MEALS or VERANO to 914-3427744.
•  2024 Summer Meals Sites: Imperial County
• Use the website: https://www.fns.usda.gov/meals4kids
•  Use the site locator for smartphones- rangeapp.org

What kind of food is served at these sites? The meals served are nutritious and meet USDA guidelines. A typical lunch, for example, could include a turkey sandwich on wheat bread, milk, an apple, and a salad.

Who funds free summer meals? Summer meals programs are federally funded by the USDA through the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option.

What else can I do to help? You can share information about free summer meals on social media; with friends; family members and neighbors; and with any community groups or faith-based congregations that you belong to. Share the texting hotline (“Text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304 to find free summer meals in our community”)

Have other questions? Please contact Anel Navarro, Food Service Director at 760 – 337 - 6530  x 2489 or aanavarro@hebersd.org

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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Triennial Assessment

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Annual Notification

The CDE requires that all SFAs who operate the federal meal program notify households about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Information Act annually.

Notifications should be sent once a year between the months of January through April.

There are many options for notifying households about the EITC which may include in-person, electronic, mail, flyers, or by phone, although you are only required to notify via one method.

What is the EITC? The EITC is a benefit for working people with low to moderate income. They must meet certain requirements and file a tax return, even if taxes are not owed or households are not required to file, to qualify. The EITC reduces the amount of tax households owe and may allow for a refund.

Below is the specific language that LEA must include when notifying households about the EITC. This language is in RTC Section 19854:

Based on your annual earnings, you may be eligible to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit from the Federal Government (Federal EITC). The Federal EITC is a refundable federal income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The Federal EITC has no effect on certain welfare benefits. In most cases, Federal EITC payments will not be used to determine eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, food stamps, low-income housing, or most Temporary Assistance For Needy Families payments. Even if you do not owe federal taxes, you must file a federal tax return to receive the Federal EITC. Be sure to fill out the Federal EITC form in the Federal Income Tax Return Booklet. For information regarding your eligibility to receive the Federal EITC, including information on how to obtain the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Notice 797 or any other necessary forms and instructions, contact the IRS by calling 1-800-829-3676 or through its website at www.irs.gov.

You may also be eligible to receive the California Earned Income Tax Credit (California EITC) starting with the calendar year 2015 tax year. The California EITC is a refundable state income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The California EITC is treated in the same manner as the Federal EITC and generally will not be used to determine eligibility for welfare benefits under California law. To claim the California EITC, even if you do not owe California taxes, you must file a California income tax return and complete and attach the California EITC Form (FTB 3514). For information on the availability of the credit eligibility requirements and how to obtain the necessary California forms and get help filing, contact the Franchise Tax Board at 1-800-852-5711 or through its website at www.ftb.ca.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Below are some additional resources you can provide in your notification; however they are not required.

Free resources to help you file your tax return:

●  EITC Brochure in Spanish/English: This printable brochure provides information about the Federal and California Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs) along with the eligibility requirements.

●  Internal Revenue Service (IRS): For more information about the Federal EITC, please visit the EITC web site or call 1-800-829-1040.

●  Franchise Tax Board (FTB): File your state tax return directly to FTB for free with CalFile. For more information, please contact FTB at 1-800-852-5711 or visit the FTBweb site.

●  CalEITC: California joins 24 other states and the District of Columbia in adopting a state EITC to supplement the federal EITC. For more information visit CalEITC4Me. In addition to the CalEITC Calculator to determine how much money eligible filers can get back, and a Free Tax Prep Finder to help people find convenient free tax preparation sites in their neighborhoods.