As children return to school, it’s important to turn in your family’s school meal application even though students don't need to apply to receive free breakfast and lunch every day at school through the Free School Meals Program. You need to complete a benefits application every year.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture determines eligibility based on family size and income. Many are surprised to find out that they qualify, and turning in this application helps every child in the school. Strong participation in school breakfast and lunch helps to sustain our meal program including locally sourced foods. There are also many other benefits such as:
Amount of grant money our school receives
Reduced fees for transportation, athletic programs, and academic or extracurricular activities
Education funds and discounts
Opportunity to provide free meals for all students in the Summer Food Program Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity program
Waived fees for tests like the ACT and SAT
Scholarships and discounts
Any much more!
All of these items are based upon the percentage of students who meet the qualifications. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) uses the information from the application to administer state and federal programs, calculate compensatory revenue for public schools, and judge the quality of the state's educational program. Utilizing MCC’s food service program allows children ready access to nutritious meals prepared at school, saving families time and money each day.
In particular, breakfast participation has been shown to improve behavior and academic performance, helping kids start the day right and perform at their very best. Participation in school meals also helps families stretch food budgets to purchase more and better foods for meals served at home, meaning children have the important nutritional resources they need all day long, all year-round.
When you turn in your child’s application for school meals, you are making a big difference, not just for your family, but for everyone in the community and for all the students at our school.
To apply, complete the Application for Educational Benefits attached and return it to:
Murray County Central Schools
Attn: Educational Benefits 2420 28th St.
Slayton, MN 56172
The application can also be done online through the Register link on your JMC Parent Portal