Parents of children who receive free or reduced price lunch and breakfast in Saucon Valley schools are being reassured that they will continue to receive the meals without interruption, despite the loss of state and federal funding due to ongoing government shutdowns triggered by budget impasses in both Harrisburg and Washington, D.C.
The Saucon Valley School Board announced the decision in a Wednesday afternoon letter signed by all nine members.
“Our district is fully committed to ensuring that every student has access to nutritious meals each school day,” it said. “Children’s well-being is our priority, and no student will be denied a meal due to circumstances outside of their control.”
The board said the district will temporarily absorb the cost of the subsidized meals, with the expectation that reimbursement will eventually be forthcoming.
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and communicate updates as they become available,” the board’s statement said. “In the meantime, families can be confident that meal services will continue as usual, and we remain committed to supporting the health and success of all students.”
Families who are experiencing a change in income can visit the district website to review income eligibility guidelines for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, to see if they may qualify.
According to a chart published on the site, free meals or milk are available to children whose families whose annual income is equal to or less than 130 percent of the federal poverty level (up to $20,345 for one child), and reduced prices meals are available to families whose annual incomes are 185 percent or less than the guidelines ($20,346 to $28,953 for one child).
For additional information or assistance with applying for the programs, parents or guardians should contact Food Service Coordinator Nakeshia Downer at 610-838-7026, ext. 1401, or nakeshia.downer@svpanthers.org.