Politics & Government
USDA Will Fund Free Meals for City Schools Affected by Sandy
U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand helmed the effort to feed schoolchildren affected by the hurricane.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has agreed to provide free meals for New York City public school students affected by Hurricane Sandy at the urgings of U.S. Senators Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.
“It’s important for our children to have access to the nutritious food necessary to grow and learn while at school,” said Senator Schumer, in a statement. “Unfortunately, thousands of New York City families were displaced or severely stressed after Superstorm Sandy and some of these students are facing a new hunger crisis, which must be addressed. I am relieved that the USDA heeded our call to support free school meals to New York City public school students during this difficult time. These meals will provide food relief to the children-in-need after Superstorm Sandy as we continue the fight to fully recover.”
Earlier this month, the senators penned a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, asking for funds to provide free meals for children through the remainder of the calendar year.
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“The New York City school district is facing multiple obstacles in running their school meals program normally. The current situation prevents the district from operating normal systems to accurately determine current student eligibility and count and claim meals properly,” the letter read.
Before Sandy, the letter continued, an estimated 86 percent of the lunches served in the NYC school district per day were free or reduced.
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According to a release, as many as 40,000 New York City families are currently displaced or sheltered in poorly heated homes with no power, creating an increase in the number of children eligible for free school meals.
“We have a moral obligation to ensure our city’s children do not go hungry,” Gillibrand said. “Providing free school meals to all our city’s school children will help our schools meet the needs of children displaced by Hurricane Sandy and ensure our students have access to healthy, warm food. I thank Secretary Vilsack for his leadership in our city’s time of need.”