Fed $ for after-school program "dinners" pilots in Sacramento

If at least half the students in a public school qualilfy for free or reduced-price breakfasts and lunches, the school qualifies for federal funding to provide dinner as part of its after-school program -- part of the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act, now know as Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, that was signed into law by the President last December.

According to a story in today's Sacramento Bee, 228 schools in California are taking advantage of this new provision so far. As Diana Lambert reports, several of them are in the Sacramento area.

At Union House, 86% of students are eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Jack Ferreira,the school's academic program coordinator, said about 200 kids are involved in the after-school program. Because the school meets federal criteria, all children in the after-school program are served dinner, whether or not they qualify as low-income....Ferreira said the parents of many students in the after-school program had approached him to ask for help getting food, whether a ride to a food bank or referral to a program. He estimated that without the dinner option, at least 30% of the kids would be hungry at night.

One benefit of the new program, according to supporters, is that it has drawn more students into after-school programs, which typically include tutoring and enrichment courses. Ferreira has added students to the Union House program so they can have the extra meal, he said.....

Elk Grove Unified serves dinner to about 3,200 students at 22 school sites every day, said Michelle Drake, the district's director of food and nutrition services. The pre-made meals typically consist of a sandwich or wrap, fruit, a vegetable and milk.

Beginning next month, Sacramento City Unified will serve similar dinners from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 24 schools, said Gabe Ross, district spokesman. The pilot program will continue through the school year. Ross said it eventually may be expanded to more than 50 schools....

Thirteen states and the District of Columbia had dinner programs for years before the model was expanded nationwide in January. The Congressional Budget Office estimated the cost of the dinner program at $641 million from 2011 to 2020.