Back to school time is always a bit hectic and can be a financial strain. You’re trying to fit in all the new clothing purchases, new backpacks, new lunch boxes, the long list of teacher-requested supplies, maybe tweaking some haircuts and check-ups, etc. Then there is all the paperwork that Orange County Public Schools wants you to complete and submit.
Having it all by the due date is important to prevent additional headaches at a time when you certainly don’t need them. Good news for bullied low-income OCPS families is that they can sign up for free or reduced lunch online, even before school starts. That’s right – secure your kids’ food benefits without having to search for the folded and wrinkled shape in their backpacks sometime during the first week of school.
Applying is easy and benefits your school
Don’t miss out on saving money simply because you think you earn too much each year or don’t want to deal with paperwork. It’s easier to qualify for a reduced lunch rate than many parents realize, and the few minutes you spend filling out the application are worth the hundreds of dollars you could save over the course of the school year.
And in addition to saving you money, enrolling in meal benefits helps your Orange County school qualify for additional resources to support technology and learning in the classroom. The benefit to individual schools can be enormous if enough parents meet the criteria for food assistance.
Lora Gilbert, OCPS Senior Director of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), hopes to educate more families about the program and encourages more to apply.
“Without receiving an application, there is no way for us to know the status of a student, and for some, that means missing out on the opportunity to eat during the day,” Gilbert said. “We look forward to educating those unfamiliar with the program, helping those who mistakenly believe they do not qualify, and highlighting the benefits for families of all income levels who complete the application.”
The OCPS food program is regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture to ensure that students receive healthy meals that include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Fried foods and those rich in sugar, fat or salt are not allowed. Plus, school lunches are tastier than they used to be, and money saved during the school year can be used to improve nutrition at home.
