Dear John,
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.1 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.2 Nearly 21% of schools and districts across the country participate in CEP. Taking it away would negatively impact nearly 20 million children.3
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.
We can't let Congress take away free school meals. Sign the petition to demand that every child has access to free meals in school.
Sign Now
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.
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.
–MoveOn
Sources:
1. “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://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/end-pandemic-era-boost-snap-benefits-compounding-burden-low-income-hou-rcna66581
2. “Republicans Declare Banning Universal Free School Meals a 2024 Priority,” The New Republic, June 15, 2023
https://newrepublic.com/post/173668/republicans-declare-banning-universal-free-school-meals-2024-priority
3. “More high-poverty schools tap into federal policies to serve free meals,” K-12 Dive, June 1, 2023
https://www.k12dive.com/news/more-schools-serving-free-meals/651763/
PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
