Hungry children have difficulty focusing in school, have lower attendance rates than their peers, and are at greater risk of mental and physical health problems. School meals are one of the farthest-reaching anti-hunger programs for school-aged children, ensuring that, irrespective of a family’s financial or social condition, all children receive a nutritious meal in school. Yet, the current free and reduced-price payment structure leaves many students behind. Additionally, our yeshivas and schools serve kosher food, which carries higher costs.
Agudath Israel is part of a large statewide coalition advocating for universal, free school meals. Last year’s budget made strides toward this goal, but did not succeed in the promise of ensuring that no child should go hungry in school. This year we are once again joining in the effort to fund free universal meals for every child in every school across New York State.
See below for a video of Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Agudath Israel of America’s Director of New York Government Relations at a press event in Albany calling for universal free meals.
We are happy to report that both the Assembly and the Senate added free meals in their budget proposals. But the job is not finished. We must ensure that this proposal is in the final budget that is negotiated between the legislature and the governor which is supposed to be voted upon by the end of this month.
The Healthy School Meals coalition has designated today to help spread the word. Please fill out the action alert below to contact the governor and your legislator.
