Oklahoma Child Advocacy CEO Joe Dorman says lots of low-income students in high need areas are missing out on free, nutritious meals. He says many districts in the state are eligible for the federal program, which would feed all the students in the school, but aren’t participating. Dorman says Department of Education figures show only 44 of 153 eligible districts in the state are enrolled. Most of those participating are in urban areas, not the rural areas, despite being eligible.
With school getting ready to start in Oklahoma, Dorman urges districts and parents to check out guidelines and see if their schools qualify for the Community Eligibility Provision. He says daily, nutritious meals help kids do better in school.