Now that school is back in session, anti-hunger advocates are ramping up the calls to make sure no child is left without a meal. They’re anticipating the thousands of students who will go hungry as a pandemic-related free school-meal program ends. In Bergenfield Thursday, Congressman Josh Gottheimer called on Congress to grant a one-year extension of the federal program. Last year the program provided more than 250 million free breakfast and lunch meals to kids in need.
In New Jersey, just over 14% of students are at or below the poverty line and qualify for the free meals program, but according to advocates, many go without due to stigma and the administrative hurdles that come with signing up for the program. Gottheimer says making the program universal to all, regardless of family income, would eliminate both issues and ensure kids are getting the nutrition they need.
“Too often children have to get through their day without the fuel they need to be active participants in the classroom. You can’t propel a rocket without fuel. The same goes for a growing student…” said Gottheimer.
