A rising number of underprivileged children are enjoying free breakfast at school, yet some Republicans are staunchly opposed to this initiative. It’s hard to believe that providing food for hungry kids could be a point of contention, but the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), introduced during the Obama administration, is under scrutiny from congressional Republicans.
According to a recent report from the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), participation in school breakfast programs among low-income children rose by 3.7% during the 2015-2016 school year, bringing the total to over 12 million kids—an increase of nearly 50% from a decade ago. This is a significant achievement, one that should be celebrated. Who would argue against feeding more children?
If you guessed “Republicans,” you’re correct. The CEP allows schools where at least 40% of students qualify for free meals to offer those meals to all students, streamlining the process and reducing stigma. Instead of requiring families to fill out extensive applications, which can discourage participation, CEP normalizes free breakfasts in high-poverty areas, ensuring that children from low-income families aren’t singled out. Studies have shown that kids who eat breakfast perform better academically and have lower absenteeism rates.
However, some Republicans believe that this program allows too many families who can afford to pay full price to benefit from free meals. They want to raise the eligibility threshold to 60%. One Republican even referred to the program as “welfare for kids who come from the middle class.” This notion raises eyebrows. For instance, a family of four making $35,000 or $40,000 a year would not qualify for aid, despite the financial strain many face. The current income limits are considered low for many working families; according to Pew Research, a family of four is only deemed “middle class” when earning between 67% and 200% of the state’s median income.
The reality is that many families are struggling, and kids are bearing the brunt of the economic burden. Stigmatizing those who seek help is a barrier that must be dismantled. Communities with high poverty rates should have access to free breakfast programs for their children without hindrance.
In a world where millionaires evade taxes and corporations enjoy massive breaks, it’s disheartening to see politicians targeting vital programs that assist struggling families. The same individuals who defend wealthy tax dodgers as “smart” seem intent on cutting funds for essential services for the most vulnerable among us. The CEP has successfully increased breakfast participation rates among low-income children by 50%. Now, some lawmakers want to reform a program that is clearly working, while supporting budget items like a $22 billion border wall.
It’s time to prioritize the needs of our communities over the interests of the affluent. We should not allow politicians to strip resources from the most vulnerable while lining the pockets of the wealthy. If you’re interested in learning more about related topics, check out this post for additional insights. And for those considering at-home insemination, reputable retailers like Make a Mom offer excellent syringes and kits.
In summary, while the rise in free school breakfasts for low-income children is a positive step forward, the push from some Republicans to reform or limit this program raises serious concerns about priorities in our society. Feeding children should never be a controversial issue.