Time to act! Sign the petition to ensure every child has access to free school meals.
Hi friend,
Together, we're continuing to defend free school meals against cruel Republican attempts to take them away from children, and your support is crucial to the success. Free school meals have a huge impact on our children's lives.1 Families are no longer burdened with the stress of providing meals, and students thrive in schools that prioritize their well-being.
States like Minnesota, New Mexico, Colorado, Vermont, Michigan, and Massachusetts have now followed in the footsteps of California and Maine, where school breakfasts and lunches are permanently free for all students regardless of family income.2 The fight to secure free school meals for every child continues to gain momentum, and we can't let up now. Will you join over 25,000 MoveOn members calling for Congress to extend free meals to all kids nationwide?
This is a fight we can't afford to lose. Across the nation, children are still at risk of losing access to essential nutrition due to a lack of federal support. Together, we can continue to push for change and ensure that every child has the chance to learn and grow without the worry of hunger. Our children's future is at stake, and your action is needed more than ever. Sign now and share this petition with three of your friends and family members.
Thanks,
–Allison Johnson, Parents Together
P.S. For more context, check out the recent email we sent on this subject (copied below).
Sources:
1. "The Case For Universal Free Meals For All: A Permanent Solution," Health Affairs Forefront, May 5, 2022
https://act.moveon.org/go/180086?t=6&akid=361046%2E40999114%2EMRCHVL
2. "School kids in 8 states can now eat free school meals, advocates urge Congress for nationwide policy," AP News, August 26, 2023
https://act.moveon.org/go/180085?t=8&akid=361046%2E40999114%2EMRCHVL
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Sign the petition to tell Republicans we won't allow them to take away free school meals for kids!
Dear MoveOn member,
Urgent! A new proposal from Republicans in Congress aims to slash the free school meals program! The much-needed federal aid expanding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the pandemic expired earlier this year, despite worsening food insecurity and a rise in hardship for millions of families.3 Public schools offer free or reduced-price lunches through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), a federal program launched in 1946 to promote an equal opportunity for education since hunger and food insecurity are linked to academic performance. But now this 77-year-old program tackling child hunger and promoting education is under attack. The new GOP proposal could have devastating consequences, especially for children whose only consistent meals are served in schools.
Will you sign the petition to protect the free school meals program?
The new Republican proposal is targeting our country's most vulnerable population: children in low-income areas. These heartless Republicans are calling for the elimination of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) from the NSLP. The CEP provides free breakfast and lunch to all children in schools and districts of low-income areas without having parents jump through hoops to submit lengthy applications to confirm eligibility, and it provides relief for families who are living in poverty or on the border of poverty.4 Nearly 21% of schools and districts across the country participate in CEP. Taking it away would negatively impact nearly 20 million children.5
We must fight to save school lunches for our kids, and we need your support. If enough parents and concerned people speak out, we can stop the GOP plan to take away free meals from kids who need them.
A nutritious meal is as essential to an education as books and school supplies. Will you join me in this crucial fight for children's right to access free meals at school?
Studies show that nutrition affects learning through physical development, cognition, and behavior.6 A well-balanced meal can make a difference in our children’s education and their future. States like Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, Vermont, and California recognize that and have recently passed laws to give all kids free school meals.7 Policies like this are a game changer for stopping childhood hunger and helping kids learn better—a win-win!
But Republicans, who boast about their family values, have made it clear that banning universal meals for children is a core part of their 2024 agenda. They are seeking to undermine the progress that states have made to keep children fed and education accessible.
Children shouldn't have to worry about where their next meal will come from. We must join together to protect our children and ensure they have access to nutritious meals. Let's show our representatives that families across the country won't stand for more cuts to the school meals program.
Thanks for all you do.
–Allison Johnson, Parents Together
Sources:
3. “The end of a pandemic-era boost to SNAP benefits is compounding the burden low-income households already face,” NBC News, February 3, 2023
https://act.moveon.org/go/179481?t=16&akid=361046%2E40999114%2EMRCHVL
4. “Republicans Declare Banning Universal Free School Meals a 2024 Priority,” The New Republic, June 15, 2023
https://act.moveon.org/go/179482?t=18&akid=361046%2E40999114%2EMRCHVL
5. “More high-poverty schools tap into federal policies to serve free meals,” K-12 Dive, June 1, 2023
https://act.moveon.org/go/179483?t=20&akid=361046%2E40999114%2EMRCHVL
6. “Feeding Young Minds: The Importance of School Lunches,” The New York Times, June 5, 2017
https://act.moveon.org/go/179484?t=23&akid=361046%2E40999114%2EMRCHVL
7. “Republicans Declare Banning Universal Free School Meals a 2024 Priority,” The New Republic, June 15, 2023
https://act.moveon.org/go/179482?t=25&akid=361046%2E40999114%2EMRCHVL
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