Arizona group aims to give free meals to more low-income students

PHOENIX — An organization in Arizona is working to expand a free breakfast and lunch program to students at more than 140 school districts across the state.

The Community Eligibility Provision, led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, offers free breakfast and lunch to all students at schools that have a high percentage of low-income students.

Angie Rodgers with the Association of Arizona Food Banks told KTAR News 92.3 FM that while 265 school districts in the state would be eligible for the program, only 125 are currently participating.

Rodgers and her organization are working to close that gap.

“We still have a lot of opportunity to get from 125 to 265,” she said.

The group is working to reach out to districts and let them know that they have an opportunity to enroll for the Community Eligibility Provision.

To be eligible, at least 40 percent of the school’s student body needs to qualify for means-based programs, such as SNAP, or low-income programs such as free or reduced lunches.

Districts have until June 29 to enroll in the program for the upcoming school year, Rodgers said.

Rodgers said there are many benefits — for both school officials and students — to enrolling in the program.

Students won’t have to be stigmatized when applying for school lunches, families won’t have to complete long applications each year and schools don’t have to process individual applications each year, she said.

About 114,000 students across Arizona are served each day through the program.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Griselda Zetino contributed to this report. 

Related

Scottsdale Unified approves closure of two schools amid declining enrollmentAndy Biggs shares debate stage with No Labels candidate as Gov Katie Hobbs sits outDave Ramsey says: Bad things happen when you don’t save money!University of Arizona puts all fraternity chapters on ‘activities suspension’ amid investigationsASU hockey trainer reassigned weeks after Matthew Mayich incident, university gives no reasonWATCH: Andy Biggs, third-party candidates debate tonight as Governor Hobbs sits out