Local schools are taking advantage of the USDA’s offer of free meals for students. Normally, the USDA gives funding to schools and other organizations to offer children free meals during the summer. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that’s been extended to the end of the year.
The Eastern Pulaski School Board Monday agreed to let school officials apply for a waiver in order to do that, at the recommendation of Superintendent Dara Chezem. “School corporations were notified Friday afternoon that we could apply for what’s called the Seamless Summer Option or SSO,” Chezem explained. “What this means is that all students, regardless of their family income, may receive free breakfasts and free lunches through December 31 or until those funds are depleted, that have been set aside. This also can be retroactive to September 1.”
Students will still have to pay for a la carte items, though. The West Central and Knox Community school corporations have made similar announcements.
