It’s Wednesday morning and you’re on the bus, anxious about turning in your first book report. The bumps in the road wake your sleepy eyes and the rumbling in your stomach reminds you that mom is still sick and has not been paid for work this week. The cereal box was empty this morning. Your best bet is to grab something from the school cafeteria before you are on your way to class. But you don’t have the 30 cents to pay for it.
For many kids in Arizona this is a pretty typical morning. According to the latest Feeding America report, 293,950 kids struggle with food insecurity in Arizona. This means meals at home are very scarce or non-existent. School meals are a lifeline for these kids. A lifeline to a full tummy but also to a better future, with turned-in book reports and attentive attitudes in homeroom. Because who can learn – or behave – on an empty stomach?
Osborn School District Social Worker, Cristina Delgado-Bankley, was one of those kids. She attended the very elementary school she is now serving. She still remembers the help several of the district social workers provided: food boxes, clothes…really, anything she (and her family) needed to thrive. This included meals at school – the only meals she could really count on.
“Honestly, I never knew when my next meal was going to be,” Christina says. “My parents tried their best. So, it was a balance of like, I know I’m being fed, but what about my parents?”
That’s not what a child should worry about.
The generosity of her school social workers deeply changed her. When it came time to figure out a path for herself, she chose to honor them by becoming a social worker. Her professional focus at the school lies in supporting foster families and incoming students. She sees firsthand how important a nutritious meal is for foster kids – and all kids who need a little help getting by.
Currently, Osborn School District is in a unique position as it operates under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). This program allows schools that are on the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and have a high percentage of low-income students to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, without requiring individual household applications. When all students eat for free, getting a school meal becomes a less stressful experience and a more enjoyable time for students. This enables students to focus on academic success, building relationships with peers, and pursuing their dreams for the future.
The only things a child should worry about.
The number of schools operating CEP has grown over the last couple of years in Arizona, which has helped feed and support many more students through nutritious meals. Programs like CEP are not always a guarantee, though, as their continuation depends on government funding. The continuation and growth of programs that provide free meals for kids and teens, such as CEP, are a key step towards ending childhood hunger in Arizona and towards healthier futures.
Cuts to programs are in a state of flux at the moment and while CEP is not directly on the chopping block, changes to SNAP have the potential to affect families and kids receiving free school meals. Because things are changing at a moment’s notice, it’s a good idea for all parents of school aged kids to keep their eyes on AzFBN’s social media channels for the latest information. Every parent should apply for free school meals directly at their child’s school, even if they were previously denied. A recent investment in Arizona schools expanded free access for those previously under qualified under the “reduced” category. But if things have changed in your household (like a job loss or other change to your income) applying again is the best way to ensure your child has access to meals.
And these meals can make a huge difference. Kids that have a good breakfast and lunch are healthier and do better in school.
For questions about school meal applications, contact your child’s school directly, and for information about other help available visit azfoodbanks.org or email AzFBN at [email protected]
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