Education

Over 280,000 Ohio children face hunger as proposed cuts target school meal programs

Source: http://www.msn.com

A proposed $3 billion reduction in federal school meal funding could strip free breakfast and lunch access from over 280,000 Ohio students. The cuts, under consideration by the Republican-led US House Ways and Means Committee, would tighten eligibility for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a program that provides free meals in high-poverty schools.

The plan would raise the CEP eligibility threshold from 40% to 60% participation in programs like SNAP and TANF, disqualifying 728 Ohio schools and disproportionately impacting low-income families.

“Taking away this important and effective way for local schools to offer breakfast and lunch at no charge to all their students would increase hunger in the classroom,” warned Erin Hysom of the Food Research & Action Center.

Experts say the change could harm student health and academic performance. Dr. John Stanford of the Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio emphasized that free meals help students thrive and noted that most Ohioans support universal free school meals.

Read more of the story here: https://ohio.childreninfobank.com/safebank/over-280000-ohio-children-face-hunger-as-proposed-cuts-target-school-meal-programs/

Image Source: http://www.news5cleveland.com

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