While breakfast remains free for all children enrolled in Bulloch County Schools, families need to complete a “Free and Reduced-Price Meal” application to see if they qualify for lunch cost benefits for the new school year that begins Aug. 1.
According to a release from Hayley Greene, director of Public Relations for the school system, the federal assistance that allowed all children to receive free meals for the past two years regardless of income has ended. The assistance was part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s extension of its feeding programs during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Children won’t be eligible for lunch benefits the first day of school without a completed, approved application. If the school district has documentation that a family is eligible for the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the Department of Human Resources’ Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program or if a family completed an application and was eligible for benefits in Bulloch County Schools during the 2019-2020 school year, the school district will grant a grace period for benefits until Sept. 13. A completed, approved application, however, will be needed for benefits to continue after that date.
Any eligible family without a completed, approved application after Sept. 13, will be required to pay full price for lunches. Elementary school lunches are $2.25 per day and middle/high school lunches are $2.50.
“Families only have to complete one application per household, and not an application for each child,” Greene said. “If you do not believe your family is eligible for benefits, you do not have to submit an application. Also, families with children at Langston Chapel Elementary School or Langston Chapel Middle School do not have to fill out an application unless they have children that attend other schools.”
Where to get an application
Bulloch County Schools will make the application available to families in the following ways:1. On Thursday, July 7, a letter and application will be mailed and emailed to the addresses of families the school district has on file
2. Beginning July 12, the application will be available on the Bulloch County Schools website to print and complete
3. The application will be available on the Bulloch County Schools website to complete online via the My School Apps website.
4. The application will be embedded in the school district's online Register for School tool when parents register new students
5. The application will be embedded in the school district's Campus Parent website and mobile application (app) for returning students when families use this tool to update their child’s information.
6. The application will be available from your school at Open House on July 28 and in the school office thereafter.
Turn in completed applications
- To your child’s school.
- To the school district's School Nutrition Department at 18201 Hwy 80 West, Statesboro, GA 30458. A secured drop box is located at the office for drop offs after business hours; or
- Complete and submit the application online after July 12 using the My School Apps website, the Register for School tool (for new students) or the Campus Parent tool (for returning students), all of which are accessible on the school district's website.