Dear friend,

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1 in 6 children — or 13 million children — face food insecurity, and it’s all the more prevalent right now as millions of children are home from school during the coronavirus pandemic and unable to access their free or low-cost meals.

If you believe Congress should act on this critical issue facing our nation’s children and make all school meals free for every student, add your name now.

This is an issue that has always been near and dear to my heart while I served in Congress, as Secretary of Agriculture under President Clinton, and as an executive director of multiple non-profits that aim to help children and low-income families afford the food and other resources needed to thrive.

It’s well known that children who lack access to healthy food options have a more difficult time learning. Kids who are hungry or not well nourished are more likely to have trouble focusing, exhibit behavioral problems, and struggle academically.

For students of color, low-income students, and students with disabilities, going hungry compounds the challenges that they already face. For students who live in neighborhoods where access to fresh, nutritious food is limited, the issue is compounded: 21.2 percent of black households and 16.2 percent of Hispanic households are food insecure. This is a racial equity issue.

A bill to establish a Universal School Meals Program has been introduced in Congress — legislation that would make breakfast, lunch, and after-school snacks free for every public and nonprofit private school student, regardless of family or community income, improving student academia and ending school lunch shaming, among additional benefits directly to the schools.

Every student deserves access to healthy food every day. If you agree, add your name to urge Congress to pass the Universal School Meals Program Act now.

Thanks for acting on this important issue,

Mike