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2026-2027 Kids Cafe Application

The application period runs July 10 - August 21, 2026.

Official start date for the program is Thursday, October 1st, 2026. The end date is Thursday, September 29, 2027, with a break during summer.

Step 1 of 11

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Application must be completed in one sitting. Please ensure that you have all of the required documents and allow at least 30 minutes to complete.
Have you ever partnered with GCFB for any of our Children's Meal Programs?*
- Yes
- No
Was your organization a Kids Cafe site with us for the 2025-26 school year?*
- Yes
- No
Organization/Agency Name*
Organization/Agency Number*
Organization Name*
Address*
Please ensure to list the address where the meal service takes place. This is important!

Street Address City ZIP Code
Please provide your 4-digit zip code extension:*
Example: 44902-1130 Please only enter the 4 digits after the dash.

This is required for the state application. Please do not enter incorrect information. You can find this information by copying and pasting the website link into another tab on your web browser: https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action?mode=0&refresh=true
County*
Nearest cross street:*
For example: Mayfield Rd / Warrensville Rd.
Is your program a non-profit organization?*
- Yes
- No
Does your program have a fiscal agent?*
Fiscal sponsorship is a formal arrangement in which a 501(c)(3) public charity sponsors a project that may lack exempt status. This alternative to starting your own nonprofit allows you to seek grants and solicit tax-deductible donations under your sponsor's exempt status.
- Yes
- No
Are you currently a licensed child care center?*
- Yes
- No
Is your program held in a school building?*
- Yes
- No
Is your program held in a "nut free" facility?*
- Yes
- No
Please note – when our planned menu indicates that an item containing nuts is to be served, you will receive an alternative menu. You will need to manually revise the menu posted at your site to indicate what food items were received and served. No worries please. This will be covered in training!

Uploads
All of the addresses must match and should be the location where the meal is taking place.
Please upload your Sponsoring Organization and Unaffiliated Center Agreement. https://portal.clevelandfoodbank.org/programs/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/07/CACFP-SO-and-UC-Agreement-2026-27.pdf*
This should be a single file PDF upload containing all five pages. Pictures or JPEG images will not be accepted.

Max. file size: 49 MB.
Please upload the Addendum. https://portal.clevelandfoodbank.org/programs/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/07/Addendum-CACFP-SFSP-SO-and-UCA.pdf*
This file should be a PDF. Pictures or JPEG images will not be accepted.

Max. file size: 49 MB.
Please upload the Participation Agreement. https://portal.clevelandfoodbank.org/programs/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/07/KC-Participation-Agreement-_1-22-2024.pdf*
This file should be a PDF. Pictures or JPEG images will not be accepted.

Max. file size: 49 MB.
Please upload the Proof of Non-Profit Status for your Fiscal Agent?*
This file should be a PDF. Pictures or JPEG images will not be accepted.
Max. file size: 49 MB.
Please upload your Proof of Non-Profit Status*
This file should be a PDF. Pictures or JPEG images will not be accepted.
Max. file size: 49 MB.
Please upload the Site Notification Form (This form is required if you are operating a site at a location that you do not own for example a school). https://portal.clevelandfoodbank.org/programs/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/07/Site-Notification-2026-27.pdf*
This file should be a PDF. Pictures or JPEG images will not be accepted.
Max. file size: 49 MB.
Please upload a file containing your School Year Calendar to include all days open/closed. https://portal.clevelandfoodbank.org/programs/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/07/KC-2026-2027-Calendar.pdf*
Please indicate your days open/closed for meal service.

This file must be a PDF and all pages submitted as a single file upload.

Must use calendar template provided

Max. file size: 49 MB.
Health Inspection*
This file should be a PDF. Pictures or JPEG images will not be accepted.

Please note: If your inspection will expire before September 30, 2024 please contact your local health department to arrange an inspection immediately. Meals may not begin until the inspection is current and complete.
Max. file size: 49 MB.
Health Inspection Date*
Please enter the date of your most recent inspection.
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Fire Inspection*
This file should be a PDF. Pictures or JPEG images will not be accepted.

Please note: If your inspection will expire before September 30, 2024 please contact your local fire department to arrange an inspection immediately. Meals may not begin until the inspection is current and complete.

Max. file size: 49 MB.
Fire Inspection Date*
Please enter the date of your most recent inspection.
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Food Service License or Letter of Exemption*
This file should be a PDF. Pictures or JPEG images will not be accepted.

Please note: Meals may not begin unless the license is current.
Max. file size: 49 MB.
Food Service License Number*
If applicable
This field is required if a Food Service License was uploaded above. PLEASE ENTER "EXEMPT" IF YOU HOLD A LETTER OF EXEMPTION
Food Service License Expiration Date*
If applicable
This field is required if a Food Service License was uploaded above. PLEASE ENTER "EXEMPT" IF YOU HOLD A LETTER OF EXEMPTION.
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Background Checks*
You need only list individuals with direct, repetitive contact with children who are employed, or who regularly volunteer in programming.

This file should be a Word Doc or PDF. Pictures or JPEG images will not be accepted.

If you do not currently have the required form, here is a link that you can copy and paste into another tab in your web browser:https://portal.clevelandfoodbank.org/docs/kidscafe/Background%20Check%20Form.docx
Max. file size: 49 MB.

Staff and Facility
CEO/Principals/Pastors (person in charge) Name*
CEO/Principals/Pastors (person in charge) Email*
CEO/Principals/Pastors (person in charge) Phone #*
Administrator/Program Contact*
Email*
Phone #*
Alt. Phone
Administrator/Program Contact's Date of Birth*
State required.
MM slash DD slash YYYY
On-Site Supervisor (if different than above)*
This is the person who will be on-site during meal service
Email*
Phone #*
Alt. Phone
On-site Supervisor's Date of Birth*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Number of Volunteers/staff involved in the program*

Kids Cafe Program
How many youth does your site anticipate serving?*
Age range of the children served in your program:*
Select all that apply
- Pre-School (3-5 years old)
- School Age (6-18 years old)
What kind of activities do you provide for the children?*
At least two activities must be described.

Length of Program
Please review your calendar and advise of your program start and end dates.
Anticipated start date:*
Official start date is October 1, 2026.

(Application must be submitted prior to the 15th of the month to begin the following month)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Anticipated end date:*
Official end date is May 7, 2026.
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Note: If either of these dates change without a two-week notification, sites will be invoiced for the returned meals including a delivery fee. Cancellation without proper notification may result in termination of future meal service.
Months of Operation:*
Check all that apply.
- October
- November
- December
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- August
- September
What is your geographic location?*
- Rural
- Urban
Site type:*
- Open-Open to the community
- Open Restricted-Open to the community, but limited due to space, safety, security, or to maintain control. CANNOT RESTRICT to only a certain group of children. (ie summer school)
- Closed Enrolled - Serves enrolled children only. Often, sites operate as "open." Please know that if you choose "closed", or "open restricted," you must provide a statement of reason and final approval to operate this type of site will be decided by ODE.
Statement of Reason*
Please provide a statement indicating why your site will not be open to the community.

Area Public Schools
This helps us determine program eligibility. Please ensure to enter the information exactly as it appears on the MR81. This is required for the state application and must be accurate. Please enter the information exactly as it appears.
School District:*
Closings due to inclement weather*
Please advise if you follow the school district for inclement weather closing, or if your closing is self determined:
- Follow School District Closing
- Self Determined Closing
Please list the closest elementary school:*
Please provide the Percentage of Free and Reduced Priced Lunch Enrollment for this school:*
You can find this information by downloading the "MR81 Document" on the Portal Kids Cafe Page or copy/paste this link into a new tab: https://portal.clevelandfoodbank.org/docs/kidscafe/MR81_2019-2020.xlsx.
Please list the closest middle school:*
Please provide the Percentage of Free and Reduced Priced Lunch Enrollment for this school:*
You can find this information by downloading the "MR81 Document" on the Portal Kids Cafe Page or copy/paste this link into a new tab: https://portal.clevelandfoodbank.org/docs/kidscafe/MR81_2019-2020.xlsx.
Please list the closest high school:*
Please provide the Percentage of Free and Reduced Priced Lunch Enrollment for this school:*
You can find this information by downloading the "MR81 Document" on the Portal Kids Cafe Page or copy/paste this link into a new tab: https://portal.clevelandfoodbank.org/docs/kidscafe/MR81_2019-2020.xlsx.

Describe your facility:
Number of refrigerators*
Do you have the ability to store Kids Cafe food separate from other food items?*
- Yes
- No
Do you have the capability to store meals overnight?*
Kids Cafe meals are delivered same day, however you must have the ability to store any leftover meals safely at the proper temperature until the next meal service.
- Yes
- No

Meal Service
Does your agency want to serve hot or cold meals? (If receiving hot meals, you must have staff available two hours prior to meal time to heat meals)*
- Hot Meals
- Cold Meals
As stated in the handbook, partners must serve a minimum of 2 days per week with a minimum of 20 children per day.
Please indicate the days that you plan to host meal service at your location.*
Check all that apply.
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
Meal Service Time:*
Please enter your start/stop time. Reminder: meal periods cannot exceed one hour.
For example: 3:00 - 4:00 pm.
Site Operating Hours:*
This is different from your meal service time. For example, your after school program runs 3:00 - 7:00 pm.
What time will you serve on Saturday?*
Please enter your start/stop time. Reminder: meal periods cannot exceed one hour.
For example: 3:00 - 4:00 pm.
Site Operating Hours - Saturday:*
This is different from your meal service time. For example, on Saturday's your program runs 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.
A member of the programs staff will contact you closer to the start date of the program to discuss the number of meals most appropriate for your location. (For returning sties, this number will be based upon the average meals served during the last Kids Café Program Year).

Delivery
Delivery Window*
Please choose the preferred delivery window between 7 am and 2 pm.
- 8 am to 10 am
- 10 am to 12 pm
- 12 pm to 2 pm
Any additional comments about meal time or quantity?

Demographics at Your Center
Provide percentage breakdown of population by racial/ethnic category for your enrollment.
(You must enter a number 0-100 in each box.)
% American Indian or Native Alaskan*
Please enter a number from 0 to 100.
% Asian*
Please enter a number from 0 to 100.
% Black or African American*
Please enter a number from 0 to 100.
% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander*
Please enter a number from 0 to 100.
% White*
Please enter a number from 0 to 100.
% Hispanic or Latino*
Please enter a number from 0 to 100.
% Total*
Total must be equal to 100.

Demographics in the Area Served by Your Center
Provide percentage breakdown of population by racial/ethnic category for the surrounding area.
(You must enter a number 0-100 in each box.)
% American Indian or Native Alaskan*
Please enter a number from 0 to 100.
% Asian*
Please enter a number from 0 to 100.
% Black or African American*
Please enter a number from 0 to 100.
% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander*
Please enter a number from 0 to 100.
% White*
Please enter a number from 0 to 100.
% Hispanic or Latino*
Please enter a number from 0 to 100.
% Total*
Total must be equal to 100.
Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

The Greater Cleveland Food Bank is an equal opportunity provider.