Released September 17, 2009
MADISON, Wis. – Inundated with school-related forms to sign and complete? One important form that parents often overlook is the application for free and reduced-priced school meals.
"Many people assume that these forms are only for limited income families, but it is important for all parents to fill them out," says Julia E. Salomon, family living program specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Extension.
The benefits of returned meal application forms go beyond helping students get a good meal--they also affect the school district's funding, according to Aimee Dunn, Wisconsin Nutrition Education Program coordinator with the UW-Extension.
School districts rely on returned applications showing how many students are entitled to free and reduced-price meals for important financial support. For example:
--The Title 1 program, which helps students improve academic performance, provides financial assistance to schools with a high percentage of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals.
--The E-rate program offers discounts on telecommunication services needed for technology in the classroom based on the number of meal applications.
--Grant money that improves school nutrition programs is often awarded based on the number of students who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals.
If you haven't completed an application yet—don’t worry. There's still time, according to Jessica Sharkus, assistant director of School Nutrition at the Department of Public Instruction.
"Households may apply at any time during the school year--even if an earlier application was denied--by contacting the school. If a household needs to report any changes to their original application, a new application is not required. Changes in a household's size or income may increase the level of benefits for school meals," explains Sharkus.
"It is in the best interest of the families, regardless of household income, to fill out the school meal applications and to return it to the school as soon as possible. Families and schools alike benefit from completed, returned forms," says Salomon.
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http://www.uwex.edu/news/2009/09/applying-for-free-reduced-price-meals-benefits-schools-and-families
Writer: Julia E. Salomon, (920) 924-5622
