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USDA Extends Free Meals for Kids Through December 31, 2020

September 01, 2020

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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved FREE Lunch meals for ALL Ponca.  Public School District students. Free meals will be available through December 31, 2020, or until funding is depleted.

Who can access meals?

All Ponca Public School District students will be eligible for free lunch meals.  

How does this affect your student’s school lunch status?

Students that already receive free meals will experience no change in lunch status. Students that are full pay or reduced lunch status will be Temporarily moved to FREE status. No meal charges will be made to student accounts from August 13 through December 31, 2020 or until the district is notified by the USDA and State Authorities that the funding is depleted. The USDA is unable to forecast if this funding will run out before December 31; therefore, the free meal program will be a fluid process. We will notify families as soon as possible if we are made aware of any changes.

When the USDA ends the free meal program, students will return to their original lunch status, and student

accounts will be charged accordingly for the rest of the school year.

Ala carte/milk with cold lunch availability?

Ala carte options will still be available; however, ala carte items are not covered by the USDA, and students will be charged for ala carte items. If money is currently in the meal account, it can be used for the ala carte items, or it will carry over until regular meal prices resume.

How does this affect applying for free and reduced lunches?

Parents/guardians are still encouraged to complete the Free and Reduced Price School Meal Application to apply for free and reduced status. Completing the application now ensures you will still receive the appropriate meal benefits when the USDA free meal program expires.

What will happen to my child/children’s lunch balance?

The money that is in your student’s account will stay in their account. This money will be used to cover possible ala carte charges or it will be available when the USDA free meal program ends. Lunch charges for reimbursable meals will be set to free beginning August 13th. Please note the credit in your student’s balance for meals charged since August 13th.

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Will meals be served when school is not in session?

Meals will be served on scheduled school days only. If school closes due to inclement weather, meals will not be served.  If you have any questions, please contact Ponca Public Schools (402) 755-5700.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider.