Latest news with #CommunityEligibilityProvision
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How SNAP federal funding cuts could change free lunch at Knox County Schools
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law July 4, 2025, paving the way for sweeping federal budget cuts, including to SNAP, commonly known as food stamps. As a result, free and reduced-price school lunches could become more difficult for families to access. Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will amount to around $300 billion through 2034, according to the nonpartisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. As of June, 34,268 people in Knox County rely on the program for a regular stipend to use for groceries, according to Tennessee Department of Human Services data. SNAP is a way kids get access to free and reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program. SNAP is part of why 63 Knox County schools can offer every student free breakfast and lunch During the 2025-26 academic year, every student at 63 Knox County schools can receive free breakfast and lunch through the Community Eligibility Provision, which gives all students at a designated school two free meals regardless of family income and without collecting individual applications. The provision uses data from federal benefit programs, including SNAP, to determine the rate of students already receiving assistance. For a school to qualify for the Community Eligibility Provision, at least 25% of students have receive government assistance by April 1 of the prior school year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the National School Lunch Program. With fewer families receiving SNAP benefits, the number of schools that provide meals through the Community Eligibility Provision could drop next school year along with the identified student percentage. If a school were no longer covered through the Community Eligibility Provision, some students would continue to qualify individually for free and reduced-price lunch, but the benefit would not be extended to all. How to apply for free school lunch in Knox County If you child's school doesn't automatically offer free meals, families can apply for help. "Free and reduced meal applications will be available all school year, based on the information we have currently," Knox County School spokesperson Carly Harrington told Knox News. Families can submit a an application anytime during the school year to see if they qualify. Applications should be submitted annually, and only one application is needed for all students in a household. Other ways children in Knox County can receive food Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee's Food for Kids program helps to fill the weekend gap when children can't get meals at school. Every Friday, students are given a bag filled with foods that are easy to access and prepare. Teachers at individual schools help identify students who could benefit from Food for Kids, which operates around the region, including in 76 Knox County Schools facilities for the 2025-26 school year, Second Harvest's chief marketing officer Michael Torano told Knox News in an email. Hayden Dunbar is the storyteller reporter. Email Support strong local journalism by subscribing at This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: SNAP funding cuts could mean fewer Knox County students get free lunch Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dorchester District Two to offer free school meals for all students starting Fall 2025
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – Every student in Dorchester School District Two will receive free breakfast and lunch during the 2025–2026 school year, thanks to a federal program aimed at expanding access to nutritious meals. The district announced it has qualified for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a program under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. CEP allows schools in areas with high percentages of low-income students to offer meals at no cost to all enrolled students, without requiring families to fill out meal applications. 'This is a great opportunity for parents to send their kids to school and get a free breakfast and a free lunch,' said Kenny Farrell, Chief Operations Officer for Dorchester District Two. 'It just helps everybody involved.' District officials say the CEP program is fully funded by the federal government and is under a four year contract. After that, schools or districts must requalify based on updated demographic data. Farrell said the district is hopeful the funding continues beyond the initial term. In addition to the financial relief for families, Farrell said the program helps reduce the stigma some students face when qualifying for free or reduced-price meals. 'Some people, for whatever reasons, don't feel comfortable filling out those forms,' he said. 'This way it doesn't affect kids. Kids get to come to school, and all of them get to eat free breakfast and a free lunch.' Meals will still follow USDA nutrition guidelines and include balanced options with protein, vegetables, fruit, and milk. While the menu won't change, the district is preparing for increased participation and has partnered with Aramark to manage food services moving forward. The CEP program officially begins July 1, 2025, but free meal service for most students will begin with the first day of school in August. For more information, families can contact the district office at (843) 695-4920 or visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Niagara County seeing an increase in food insecurity
Food insecurity has increased in Niagara, Erie, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties in the past year, according to Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks, food pantries and meal programs. The latest results of the annual Map the Meal Gap study show that Niagara County's overall food insecurity rate has reached 13.3%, up from 12.6% in 2022. Among Niagara County's children, 19% face a lack of sufficient food, compared to 17.9% in 2022. 'When you tell me it's 19% for children — most school districts now are providing free meals,' said Major Tom Duperree of the Salvation Army of Lockport, which operates a food pantry and soup kitchen with groceries from FeedMore WNY and other donors. 'So it's evening time for the children because they're being fed in the daytime hours. It's alarming to me.' Duperree, who stocked shelves in the Salvation Army's food pantry Wednesday, has seen demand for the organization's meals and pantry items increase. But there's a new dimension to hunger developing with children. 'Late last year, I remember a high school teacher coming here, and there were two students,' he said. 'The parents had said to both of these children, 'Because you have a part-time job after school, you're no longer getting fed here.' One of the teachers took the lead in bringing the students down here to learn to navigate the food pantry.' According to Denyel Beiter, spokesperson for the Lockport City School District, all district students receive free breakfast and lunch through the US Department of Agriculture's Community Eligibility Provision. Beiter said the district was approved for the program because its poverty rate is over 60%. Mark Laurrie, superintendent of Niagara Falls City School District, said the study's findings of a 6% increase in food insecurity was not a surprise. 'I think that's conservative.' He said 82% of Niagara Falls students use the district's free breakfast and lunch program. Laurrie said announcing a snow day on a Friday is one of the hardest decisions he makes because he knows children will go without food all weekend. 'Abate Elementary has 650 kids, and does 86 backpacks for each weekend,' he said of filling bags with food for children. 'In every one of our elementary schools, we have a backpack program for the weekend,' Laurrie said. 'In our middle schools and high school, we have a food pantry and our social workers are taking kids to that pantry.' Since 2021, the number of people relying on FeedMore WNY, a hunger relief organization, increased by 46%. The need for supplemental food is driven by high grocery store prices, job loss, and increases in other costs, FeedMore said. 'These are community members of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances, including families working multiple jobs trying to make ends meet, older adults surviving on fixed incomes, people living with disabilities, and children,' Collin Bishop, chief communications officer for FeedMore WNY. Nationally, more than 2 out of 5 people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP benefits due to income limits. In FeedMore WNY's service area, 34% of people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP and 26% of children facing hunger may not qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Duperree said Salvation Army clients frequently describe how their budgets are too tight to meet all their living expenses. 'Their rents have gone up so high, in such a short period of time, that by the time they pay their rent, the resources they have left over is barely enough,' he said. 'A recurring story at Salvation Army is that 'if it weren't for the meal I get here if it weren't for the food pantry, I wouldn't be able to make ends meet.' ' 'It's tough enough for the adults, but the childhood factor is just very concerning,' Duperree said.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Niagara County sees an increase in food insecurity
Food insecurity has increased in Niagara, Erie, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties in the past year, according to Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks, food pantries and meal programs. The latest results of the annual Map the Meal Gap study show that Niagara County's overall food insecurity rate has reached 13.3%, up from 12.6% in 2022. Among Niagara County's children, 19% face a lack of sufficient food, compared to 17.9% in 2022. 'When you tell me it's 19% for children — most school districts now are providing free meals,' said Major Tom Duperree of the Salvation Army of Lockport, which operates a food pantry and soup kitchen with groceries from FeedMore WNY and other donors. 'So it's evening time for the children because they're being fed in the daytime hours. It's alarming to me.' Duperree, who stocked shelves in the Salvation Army's food pantry Wednesday, has seen demand for the organization's meals and pantry items increase. But there's a new dimension to hunger developing with children. 'Late last year, I remember a high school teacher coming here, and there were two students,' he said. 'The parents had said to both of these children, 'Because you have a part-time job after school, you're no longer getting fed here.' One of the teachers took the lead in bringing the students down here to learn to navigate the food pantry.' According to Denyel Beiter, spokesperson for the Lockport City School District, all district students receive free breakfast and lunch through the US Department of Agriculture's Community Eligibility Provision. Beiter said the district was approved for the program because its poverty rate is over 60%. Mark Laurrie, superintendent of Niagara Falls City School District, said the study's findings of a 6% increase in food insecurity was not a surprise. 'I think that's conservative.' He said 82% of Niagara Falls students use the district's free breakfast and lunch program. Laurrie said announcing a snow day on a Friday is one of the hardest decisions he makes because he knows children will go without food all weekend. 'Abate Elementary has 650 kids, and does 86 backpacks for each weekend,' he said of filling bags with food for children. 'In every one of our elementary schools, we have a backpack program for the weekend,' Laurrie said. 'In our middle schools and high school, we have a food pantry and our social workers are taking kids to that pantry.' Since 2021, the number of people relying on FeedMore WNY, a hunger relief organization, increased by 46%. The need for supplemental food is driven by high grocery store prices, job loss, and increases in other costs, FeedMore said. 'These are community members of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances, including families working multiple jobs trying to make ends meet, older adults surviving on fixed incomes, people living with disabilities, and children,' Collin Bishop, chief communications officer for FeedMore WNY. Nationally, more than 2 out of 5 people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP benefits due to income limits. In FeedMore WNY's service area, 34% of people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP and 26% of children facing hunger may not qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Duperree said Salvation Army clients frequently describe how their budgets are too tight to meet all their living expenses. 'Their rents have gone up so high, in such a short period of time, that by the time they pay their rent, the resources they have left over is barely enough,' he said. 'A recurring story at Salvation Army is that 'if it weren't for the meal I get here if it weren't for the food pantry, I wouldn't be able to make ends meet.' ' 'It's tough enough for the adults, but the childhood factor is just very concerning,' Duperree said.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hungry? Lee County Schools feeding ALL kids under 18 this summer—no questions asked
BEAUREGARD, Ala. () — Lee County Schools are once again offering free summer meals for any child 18 or younger who is hungry or food insecure, regardless of where they live or go to school. As part of Alabama's 'Break for a Plate' initiative, breakfast and lunch will be provided at no cost throughout the month of June. No registration, residency, or school enrollment is required—just show up, and your child will be fed. 'We're serving free meals as part of our summer feeding program,' said Krystal Patterson, Director of Child Nutrition for Lee County Schools. 'Any child under 18 can walk in and receive a nutritious lunch—no questions asked. They don't have to live in Lee County or be enrolled in our school system.' So far, the program is serving around 350 children a day, but staff say that number could—and should—grow. 'We're just hoping to get the word out,' said Patterson. 'We want families to know that we're here, it's free, and we'll feed every child who walks through the door. No one should go hungry this summer.' School nutrition staff say they are prepared to feed more children as awareness spreads and want to ensure that every family in need knows help is available—no questions asked. Meals must be eaten on site, and children must be present to receive them. The program runs June 2–5, 9–12, and 16–18, 23–24, offering a vital food resource while school is out. Meal Times: • Breakfast: 7:00 – 8:30 a.m. CST • Lunch: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CST Participating Sites: • Beauregard Elementary • Beulah Elementary • Loachapoka High • East Smiths Station Elementary 'We serve fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, and balanced meals every day,' Patterson said. 'It's a blessing to be able to provide this during the summer. Hunger doesn't take a break when school does.' 'You can tell which students are food insecure,' added Brandi Hightower, a cafeteria manager with five years of experience. 'I worry about them. Every day.' But summer breaks often disrupt that consistency. 'The summer months are tough. We worry about our kids when they're not in school,' Patterson said. 'A lot of the families who need this program the most don't have access to Facebook, Instagram, or even reliable internet. We need help getting the word out.' Lee County's summer feeding program is part of Alabama's Break for a Plate initiative and is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA also funds school-year meals through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows high-poverty schools to provide free breakfast and lunch to all enrolled students without collecting household applications. Schools qualify based on the percentage of students receiving other forms of public assistance like SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid. Lee County qualifies because Medicaid-eligible students count toward that formula. Before qualifying for CEP, Beauregard had over $20,000 in unpaid student meal debt. The local community raised the money to pay it off. 'We're concerned—cuts are already happening,' Patterson said. 'If the eligibility thresholds drop or Medicaid qualifications change, many Alabama schools might not qualify anymore.' She applauded Alabama state lawmakers for stepping up this year. 'Our legislators have allocated $7.3 million to help fund breakfast programs across Alabama,' she said. 'That's a huge help, but we still need bipartisan support at the federal level to keep nutrition programs alive.' For staff like Hightower, the impact is personal. 'This is my favorite part of the job,' she said, holding back tears. 'It gives me purpose. We have students who light up over a simple meal. They'll tell us we're the best cooks, or that lunch was amazing. That joy—that gratitude—it's real.' The need is clear—and it's local. 'People think hunger doesn't exist in their neighborhood, but it does,' Patterson said. 'Before we qualified for CEP, we were over $20,000 in the red from unpaid lunch balances. The community helped us cover that, but it shows how great the need really is.' If your kids need free meals this summer, the USDA's Summer Meals Site Finder can help you locate a program near you. As of May 30, 2025, the site includes meal locations in the following states: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MO, MS, NC, ND, OR, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV, and WY. If your state isn't listed yet, check back—new states and locations are added every Friday throughout the summer. Please note, the site does not include delivery locations for SUN Meals To-Go. For those services, contact your local meal site directly or reach out to your state agency. To search for free summer meal sites, visit the USDA's official Summer Meals Site Finder. To learn more or find additional locations, visit the Break for a Plate Alabama website or contact participating schools directly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
