For Immediate Release:
As Maryland Kids Head Back to School This Fall, New Funding Expands Breakfast in the Classroom to Hundreds More Schools
No Kid Hungry Maryland Encourages Families to Apply for Free School Meals
Date: SEPT 12, 2023
Contact: Johanna Elsemore at jelsemore@strength.org
Baltimore, MD: As Maryland students return to the classroom, No Kid Hungry Maryland is encouraging parents and caregivers to add an important task to their back-to-school checklists: Applying for free school meals.
An additional $4.5 million in funding approved by the Maryland General Assembly will expand the Maryland Meals for Achievement (MMFA) In-Classroom breakfast program to reach many more students this school year. The move brings the program’s total annual funding to $12 million, a critical investment as the previous funding level left out more than 120 eligible schools that would benefit from MMFA.
“The Maryland Meals for Achievement in-classroom breakfast program has a proven track record of ensuring school breakfast reaches the students who need it most,” says No Kid Hungry Maryland Director Ayesha Holmes. “To make the most of this wonderful program, it’s important that families submit your school meals application this fall, even if you aren’t sure whether you qualify.”
On September 12, Lt. Governor Aruna Miller and Del. Jared Solomon, who sponsored the legislation in the Maryland House, joined students and teachers at Sargent Shriver Elementary School in Silver Spring for breakfast to celebrate the expansion of MMFA.
“As a dad and former teacher, I know kids can’t learn on an empty stomach. I am proud to have worked with my colleagues and the Moore-Miller administration to pass a $4.5 million expansion of Maryland Meals for Achievement last year – one of Maryland’s most important direct defenses against childhood hunger. So along with sharpened pencils and new backpacks, we will have fully bellies here at Sargent Shriver Elementary School and across Maryland,“ said Delegate Jared Solomon (D-18)
“The Moore-Miller Administration is committed to supporting our students’ academic learning – beginning with the first meal of the day,” said Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller. “Research shows that providing students with a healthy breakfast increases focus and overall academic success. That’s why we are proud to support programs like Maryland Meals For Achievement, whose work ensures that more Maryland students across the state are set up for success in the classroom.”
Research shows that kids who eat breakfast are more focused, score significantly higher on tests, and miss less days of school. Students who eat breakfast at school each day are also more likely to eat a nutritious breakfast. When breakfast is served in the classroom after the bell, as the MMFA program allows, kids don’t miss out on a meal if their bus is running late or they had a hectic morning at home.
Though all students can benefit from in-classroom breakfast, to receive the meals for free or at a reduced price families must complete a meal application form. Filling out a free form may help families qualify for additional benefits to include discounted exam fees and college applications, extracurricular and scholarship opportunities. School Meals are available to all children regardless of immigration status. Applying for school meals will have no immigration consequences for those who apply or their families.
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About No Kid Hungry
No child should go hungry in America. But millions of kids in the United States live with hunger. No Kid Hungry is working to end childhood hunger by helping launch and improve programs that give all kids the healthy food they need to thrive. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization committed to ending hunger and poverty.