Taylor Kirkpatrick
Breakfasts and lunches have been free throughout the school district for all students due to expanded federal eligibility with additional funding from the state’s Student Success Act which is set to be in effect through the end of the 2028-29 school year, but if the school district continues to be eligible for the funding, then free meals will be provided year after year.
This provides nutritious meals at no cost for students. Oregon City High School Junior, Kesley Yaklich, takes advantage of this to get “easy and convenient” meals.
“Being able to get free breakfast has helped make my life a lot easier,” Yaklich said. “It gave me the opportunity to get filling meals without any financial boundaries or burdens.”
Additionally with the change to free meals, there has been a rise in students getting food during the breakfast and lunch services. Carlene Roley, Kitchen Supervisor, has noticed there have been longer lines during breakfast and lunch because there is no financial stress on the students.
“It’s such a good thing because oftentimes students don’t have money in their lunch account, ” Roley said. “That makes the person feel bad and so it allows everyone to be able to get food and have the same opportunities.”
Many students wouldn’t be getting breakfast or lunch at the school if it wasn’t free, like Anna West, a student at the high school.
“Definitely am taking advantage of the fact that the meals are free this year,” West said. “It’s new for me to be getting meals since they are free, last year I never got any school meals since I never got around to putting money into my account.”
The impact and importance of providing free meals for all students is tremendous to allow everyone to get good meals throughout the school day.
“The students know that they will be able to eat two meals a day no matter what, without having to worry about the cost,” Kitchen staff, Megan Williams said. “My hope is that this would take a lot of stress off of the students, as well as their parents.”
Students getting free meals from the school give many families a piece of mind and provide them with nutritious meals that they don’t have to worry about.
“School meal services seem to be a much more accessible option and welcoming and helpful to more students,” Yakilich said. “Free lunches ensure that no matter what happens everyone can have a filling meal making the program a positive staple in our community.”