Becoming a Happy Helpings Sponsor

Training and application information on becoming a Happy Helpings Sponsor, a USDA Happy Helpings Program.

Summary: Learn about the process for becoming a Sponsor for the Happy Helpings Program.

Applies to: Happy Helpings Program, Training, Forms, and Renewal Training.

Media: Happy Helpings Program Video(MP4 Video 45.8 MB)

Who can participate as a Happy Helpings Sponsor?

Organizations wishing to participate as a Happy Helpings sponsor may be public or private non-profit schools; universities, colleges, or camps; units of local government; National Youth Sports Programs (NYSP); and private non-profit organizations considered tax exempt by the Internal Revenue Service [501(c)3 (Note: the organization has to be active in the community for at least a year).

Happy Helpings Site Types and Participant Eligibility

Happy Helpings sites may be located in schools, community centers, parks, churches, playgrounds, migrant centers, homeless feeding sites, or summer camps. The children served by the Happy Helpings must be 18 years of age or younger or persons 19 and over who are mentally or physically disabled and participating in a public or private non-profit school program for the mentally or physically disabled.

For additional information on participation go to:

Nutrition > Happy Helpings Applicant Information> Who Can Participate As a Happy Helpings Sponsor?

Training for New Organizations

Prior to submitting an annual application for the Happy Helpings program, organizations must attend required Happy Helpings program training. New organizations that have never participated in the Happy Helpings or experienced organizations with a new Program Contact must attend the two-day Happy Helpings Orientation and Program Training for New Sponsors. Organizations that are experienced but did not participate in the Program the previous fiscal year must also attend the two-day Happy Helpings Orientation and Program Training for New Sponsors. This training covers the application process, site identification and preparation, organization and management of the program, planning and serving meals, working with staff and food service management companies, monitoring sites, online claim submission, and program reviews.

Training sessions are offered during the late winter/early spring for new organizations that want to participate as Happy Helpings Sponsors. To register for upcoming training dates and locations, contact us via email at SFSP@decal.ga.gov or call the Nutrition Services' Administrative Assistant at 404-657-1779.

For additional information on Training, upcoming dates and locations go to:

Nutrition > Training and Technical Assistance

Training for Experienced Organizations

Prior to submitting an annual application for the Happy Helpings, experienced organizations that participated in the Happy Helpings program in the prior year must complete annual Happy Helpings program renewal training. Training for experienced organizations is delivered in a combined web-based/face-to-face format. Training for experienced organizations is designed to foster more interaction between sponsors, to share best practices, and to target specific needs for sponsors who experienced issues operating the program in prior years.

Training sessions are offered early winter months for experienced organizations. For additional information related to upcoming training dates and locations, contact us via email at SFSP@decal.ga.gov or call the Nutrition Services' Program Coordinator at 404-657-1779.

For additional information on Training, upcoming dates and locations go to:

Nutrition > Training and Technical Assistance

Application Information

New Private Non-Profit organizations are required to complete a viability screening process prior to attending required Happy Helpings program training. The purpose of this process is to determine whether an organization is financially viable and administratively capable of operating a successful food service program. A complete and accurate viability screening packet must be submitted at least 7 business days prior to the last new sponsor training in order to allow time for the review of the submitted information. Organizations that meet all of the requirements of the viability screening process will be registered to attend the required 2-day training program for New Sponsors. For additional information related to viability screening process, contact us via email at SFSP@decal.ga.gov or call the Nutrition Services' Administrative Assistant at 404-657-1779.

Upon completion of required Happy Helpings Program training, organizations will be required to complete a Happy Helpings application. Bright from the Start's Happy Helpings application consists of submitting hard copy documents as well as completing the web-based portion of the application. Organizations cannot be approved until a complete and satisfactory application is submitted.

For the current application forms please go to:

Nutrition> Happy Helpings Forms

Bright from the Start Responsibilities

Bright from the Start is responsible for the following components of the Happy Helpings program:

promoting the Happy Helpings program in Georgia;
developing and delivering required training for current and new sponsors;
receiving and processing approving applications;
paying sponsors for serving meals to eligible participants; and
reviewing sponsors and sites.