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no_hypocrisy

(53,604 posts)
Wed Oct 29, 2025, 06:04 AM Wednesday

What will happen to the children depending on free breakfasts and lunches in

public schools when SNAP benefits aren't there on Monday?

I substitute teach in schools that are quasi-urban. I estimate about 60% of students depend upon the free meals that the public schools provide. Sure, I see about half of them throw away their meals and run to buy ice cream or chips for their lunches. But for many of them, that's their meal(s) for the day.

How can one teach when a good number of students are hungry? I'm talking more than low blood sugar.

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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What will happen to the children depending on free breakfasts and lunches in (Original Post) no_hypocrisy Wednesday OP
I think we still have free lunch in my district dsc Wednesday #1
I don't know about other states, but in Minnesota, those meals aren't funded by SNAP. WhiskeyGrinder Wednesday #2
Suffering is what will happen. Groundhawg Wednesday #3
Doesn't look like, at this point, that Cairycat Wednesday #4
Different pile of money...lunch money is title money to districts JT45242 Wednesday #5
The School District in my neighborhood has a "Lunch Heroes" program. HeartsCanHope Wednesday #6
Thanks no-hypocrisy. Prairie_Seagull Wednesday #7
Meals at school should be free for all students, faculty, and staff. PoindexterOglethorpe Wednesday #8
They are out of the womb, republicans don't care about them. republianmushroom Wednesday #9

dsc

(53,221 posts)
1. I think we still have free lunch in my district
Wed Oct 29, 2025, 06:59 AM
Wednesday

at least no mention has been made of it not going forward.

Cairycat

(1,839 posts)
4. Doesn't look like, at this point, that
Wed Oct 29, 2025, 07:47 AM
Wednesday

funding for the school lunch program is being cut. With SNAP benefits cut off, more students may be eating school lunch and breakfast, if already on free/reduced lunch, or have parents willing to fill out the forms to be on free/reduced.

I serve breakfast and lunch in a public elementary school. I'll be watching the numbers (and kids).

https://schoolnutrition.org/sna-news/congress-passes-trumps-mega-bill-that-harms-school-meal-programs/

JT45242

(3,706 posts)
5. Different pile of money...lunch money is title money to districts
Wed Oct 29, 2025, 07:50 AM
Wednesday

The FRL money is not tied to SNAP, and may have been dispersed in different ways.

The real issue is that many kids will not get anything outside of school hours.

This is the reverse summer situation.

HeartsCanHope

(1,384 posts)
6. The School District in my neighborhood has a "Lunch Heroes" program.
Wed Oct 29, 2025, 08:30 AM
Wednesday

This program insures that students get a free lunch and breakfast. I make regular donations during the school year. It's especially helpful for students that don't qualify for free lunches or there is a family crisis. Also the library in my county offers after school meals for students. It's sad that the Republicans don't seem to care what happens to children outside of the womb! Remember the Republicans counting ketchup as a vegetable? Thank you for caring about the students, no_hypocrisy!

Prairie_Seagull

(4,497 posts)
7. Thanks no-hypocrisy.
Wed Oct 29, 2025, 08:52 AM
Wednesday

Contacted school food program in my area to see what is what relative to this issue and will donate if needed.

Good post.

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