This year, more than 12,000 students in Connecticut may lose access to free or reduced-price school lunches, according to Julieth Callejas, the executive director of End Hunger CT!
“There is a coming food crisis for kids this school year. There are going to be fewer kids getting food in school, and there are going to be more kids showing up to school hungry and going to bed at night hungry because of the unconscionable cuts in the Republican bill to the food stamps program,” Sen. Chris Murphy said. “That is going to have an impact on kids’ ability to learn.”
Murphy and Callejas both spoke at a press conference on Monday, Aug. 25, that focused on the impact that cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and tariffs will have on school-aged children and their families. Sen. Richard Blumenthal was also there.
“Every parent has a simple ask: They want to send their children full with books, pencils, and confidence to succeed, but for many families in our state, those backpacks are weighed with worry,” said Callejas. “The rising cost of groceries combined with the reduced access to SNAP and many of the pantries being run empty are causing issues, struggles, and sadness.”
Eligibility for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the federally assisted meals program that provides discounted or free school lunches to kids from low-income families, is tied to SNAP.
The cuts to SNAP are a part of the One Great Beautiful Bill Act that was passed earlier this summer. The new budget cuts SNAP benefits and also changes the eligibility requirements for SNAP.
A family of four with an annual gross income of $41,795 or less can qualify for no-cost school lunches, and a family of four with an income of $59,478 or less can get reduced-price meals.
“Programs like SNAP and school meals should become a priority. They’re not a luxury, they’re a lifeline for these families,” Callejas said. “We need to invest in our children so our children can invest in Connecticut.”
Funding for no-cost and reduced school lunches used to come from the state.
During the pandemic, Connecticut allocated $60 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds toward universal free school lunch. This covered lunches from February 2023 until the end of the school year. In August of that year, an additional $16 million was allocated from ARPA for free and discounted school lunches for low-income students.
This funding ran out, and this legislative session, the Connecticut General Assembly failed to pass legislation that would fund no-cost or reduced-priced meals. Now, the 12,729 students who would have qualified for reduced-price meals are in limbo.
“I refuse to concede that states should fill this gap. Connecticut is in a more fortunate position, but it doesn’t have endless resources,” Blumenthal said. “It would be one thing if it were just Medicaid or just education or just roads, or just criminal justice, (but) it is all of them.”
Blumenthal and Murphy both said that they would try to restore SNAP funding and provide funding for reduced-price and no-cost school lunches once the Senate is back in session in September.
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It is not the taxpayers responsibility to pay for these meals. It is the responsibility of the parents! If that is an issue why are the churches/religions helping out? They collect donations all the time some to keep their businesses going but a supposedly a lot for charity. Why aren’t charities like Goodwill taking care of this? Another idea why don’t the supermarket chains like Stop and Shop and Walmart donate the food and take tax deductions? Again it is not the taxpayers responsibility at all.
Totally agree. The rising national debt is alarming. Cuts are going to have to be made and folks just have to get used to it. People must get serious about this problem.
Perhaps, when they go back to DC, then can make sure, all the citizens, have the same benefits as Blumenthal and Murphy.
Seeing equality doesn’t mean exclusion.
God
Over 55 % of my local taxes goes to the Education budget. Teachers complain they have to buy tons of supplies out of their own pocket. Why doesn’t my tax dollars go to 1) supplies for the classroom; and 2) meals for poor kids? I think the Union can give up a little bit of money for the children.
I think so too. The kids could use better learning experiences. For the kids.
I think so too. The kids could use better learning experiences. For the kids.