KXAN file photo of AISD school lunch
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A local church has contributed over $20,000 to pay off Austin Independent School District students’ outstanding lunch debt for the school year and prevent further debt until the end of the school year. I promised.
The Covenant Presbyterian Church said it would provide school districts with enough money to pay off the lunch debt incurred by all AISD students during the 2022-23 school year, and to keep students out of debt for the remainder of the school year. rice field. .
Here’s how it breaks down:
- $14,000 needed to wipe out all AISD lunch debt
- Additional $10,000 applied to future debt
The Covenant said it designates funds annually for missionary work. Previously, the Church has helped pay medical debts for people in Central Texas and helped support wraparound services for those experiencing homelessness.
“Our hope is to fill a gap that other people haven’t been able to fill, so that children have one less thing to worry about,” said mission director Whitney Bell. We hope you show our school district that you love and care about all of your students.
Senior Pastor Thomas Daniel said, “The fact that this is a gift given to all eligible students, with no conditions attached, exemplifies the free and undeserved grace we have received and that we It is the basis of the Christian faith of
Read more about Church initiatives online.
School lunch waiver enacted and expired since COVID-19
Last summer, a federal exemption that made school meals free for all students ended, regardless of family income. The free school meals program began in March 2020 when Congress authorized the U.S. Department of Agriculture to issue nutrition waivers for dozens of children before they expire on June 30.
President Joe Biden signed the Keep Kids Fed Act a few days ago on June 25, extending food aid measures for children through the 2022-23 school year, but universal free school for all. I did not continue school lunches.
Free or reduced lunches were still available, but students had to qualify through the application process for the program.
AISD free meal program
AISD announced last fall that all 76 schools, or just over half of the district’s 116 schools, will continue to offer free breakfasts and lunches to all students.
Meals are Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Programis a federally funded meal service option for schools in low-income areas that allows school districts to provide free meals to all students enrolled without an application or paperwork.
Students at schools ineligible for the program must: You can buy breakfast and lunch at low cost.
AISD Meal Fee
breakfast:
- Regular price (all levels): $1.50
- Discounted price (all levels): $0.30
- Adult/Guest: $2.75
lunch:
- Regular Price – Elementary: $3.15
- Full Price – Middle and High School: $3.25
- Discounted price (all levels): $0.40
- Adult/Guest: $4.50
