School districts across the region are encouraging families in need to apply for a federally funded school meal program that allows schools to provide both breakfast and lunch for free or at reduced cost.
For the last two years, the federal government has provided money to schools to offset the cost of offering free breakfast and lunch to all students, but that will not be the case for the 2022-23 school year. Families who have taken part in this program in past years need to reapply for the program.
Even districts that do not serve breakfast and lunch are encouraging families to apply. It figures into census data as well as schools’ allotment of state and federal money for programs and services, officials have said.
General information can be found online at benefits.gov/benefit/366. For specific details, families can reach out directly to their local schools.