CalFresh Outreach in Schools
CalFresh, also known nationally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is the largest federal nutrition program in the United States, feeding roughly 40 million people each year. It is also the largest and most effective child anti-hunger program, with nearly half of SNAP recipients being children and two-thirds of SNAP benefits going to households with children. CalFresh provides monthly benefits to help support family’s food budgets to ensure they are receiving adequate nutrition.
CalFresh Helps Kids & Schools:
- At home: Spend less time worrying about getting food on the table and more time to spend with their family.
- At school: Students enrolled in CalFresh are directly enrolled for free school meals, SUN Bucks, and other educational benefit programs.
- In the classroom: When students consistently get the food they need, it leads to lower rates of chronic absenteeism, stronger academic achievement and fewer health and behavioral issues.
- School nutrition budgets: CalFresh can help school budgets and reduce administrative burdens.
When kids are enrolled in CalFresh, they get the food they need to grow and succeed both at school and at home, but many eligible families may not know they qualify or how to sign up. No Kid Hungry partners with state, county, schools, and community organizations to bring awareness, dispel myths, and connect families to CalFresh.
School districts can play an important role in supporting access to CalFresh as a trusted source of information for students and families. An added benefit is that increasing CalFresh access supports the the entire school and local economy. Families can learn more about benefits, eligibility, and apply online www.BenefitsCal.com or visit their county social services agency.
