Urgent: Schools Need Waivers to Continue Feeding Kids

On Thursday, February 24, 2022, No Kid Hungry will host a digital day of action for kids across the country.

Over the past two years of the pandemic, child nutrition waivers have been an important tool that allow schools and local organizations to feed kids in ways that work best for their communities.

Schools and local organizations are at risk of losing critical flexibility in how they reach kids with the food they need. Early in the pandemic, Congress gave the USDA the authority to issue child nutrition waivers so that schools and local organizations could adapt their meal programs and feed kids in ways that work best for their communities.

But unless Congress takes immediate action, their ability to continue doing so is in danger. That’s because the waivers expire on June 30 even though the challenges school meal programs are facing won’t be over by then.

Use Your Voice! The USDA needs authority from Congress to extend waivers for the summer months and through the 2022-2023 school year. Join us on Thursday, February 24 for a day of action and urge Congress to act now.

Here are three things you can do on February 24:

1. Learn: Get up-to-speed about the role of child nutrition waivers in keeping kids healthy and fed during the pandemic. Click here to learn more.

2. Send: Write to your Members of Congress and urge them to give USDA the ability to extend these critical nutrition waivers. Click here to submit a pre-written, customizable email.

3. Share: Spread the word on social media and encourage your networks to contact Congress too! Click here to send a tweet to your Members of Congress.