Virginia Free Lunch Program Won’t Require Proof of Income

Bridget Reed Morawski – WMAL

WASHINGTON — (WMAL) Sometimes, there is such a thing as a free lunch.

Four Virginia school divisions will be participating in the USDA Summer Food Service program, providing free breakfast and lunch to students for most of the summer.

These school systems include those in Fairfax and Prince Williams counties, as well as in Manassas and Manassas Park.

Some districts require families to provide some proof of income to determine whether or not students are financially needy enough to earn a free meal. However, according to Phil Kavits, Director of Communications for the Prince William County Public Schools, school officials don’t want to reject any hungry children based on some paperwork.

“The idea is to just make it available in areas where you do have a high degree of need,” said Kavits. “At that point, you’re not trying to limit it to children who can meet specific qualifications.”

“You’re saying if the child is coming, the child is under 18 years of age, and the child is hungry, then we can provide a meal.”

The program served 67,500 breakfasts and 96,600 lunches last summer, and Kavits expects that there will be an increase in the number of children served.

“Hunger doesn’t end with school,” said Kavits. “There are kids who remain hungry and need to eat throughout the summer.”

Program Dates and Locations

The 2016 program’s dates vary by district. In Prince William, participating meal locations will begin serving students on June 20, although dates, times, and locations vary per district.

For a full listing of free meal sites and times in Fairfax County, click here.

Prince Williams County offers slightly different hours and dates, which can be viewed here.

Manassas Park students can get a meal from June 27 through August 5 at one of two locations: the Manassas Park Community Center or the Manassas Park Middle School. Breakfast is served between 9:00am and 10:00am; lunch, from 11:30am through 1:00pm.

In Manassas, breakfast and lunch will be served from July 25 until August 12. Breakfast will be served between 8:30am and 9:00am. Lunch will be served from noon to 12:45pm.

Manassas schools will serve students at the following locations:

Baldwin Elementary Schoolt.
Dean Elementary School
Haydon Elementary School
Round Elementary School
Weems Elementary School
Mayfield Intermediate School

About 20 percent of Fairfax County students receive free or reduced-price meals throughout the school year, according to the Fairfax County statistics.