Homeless Students: Free School Meals Respond to the Growing Need

We are pleased to have a guest blog by the Food Research and Action Center, who we partner with on our Universal Breakfast in the Classroom Project. For information about our work check out www.breakfastintheclassroom.org. 

Letters with colorful drawings from children experiencing homelessness welcomed us as we sat down for the opening of the 25th annual conference of the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth – a gathering of education professionals who are passionate about ensuring that all children succeed in school.  The letters gave a voice to the growing number of children who don’t have a permanent night-time residence – doubled up with other people, or living in hotels or shelters – and demonstrated how education professionals are often the bridge to success in school by helping them get transportation services so they can stay in their home school, and get the food, clothing and shelter they and their families need.

Unfortunately, the number of children experiencing homelessness has grown dramatically – by 72 percent – since the start of the Great Recession, further demonstrating just how devastating the economy has been for many families across the U.S.  The number of homeless children attending U.S. public schools increased by 10 percent during the 2011-12 school year, according to new data just released by the U.S. Department of Education. More than one million homeless students attend our schools, relying on homeless liaisons to help them stay in school and attend the school of their choice.  The true number is probably higher as many children and families do not want to identify themselves as homeless out of embarrassment or fear that children will be removed from parental custody.

Thankfully, homeless children are automatically eligible for free school meals as a result of years of joint advocacy efforts by the Food Research and Action Center, along with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, in partnership with NAEHCY.  The McKinney Vento Act, which ensures services for children experiencing homelessness, works together with the National School Lunch Act to ensure free meals at school.  Homeless families and unaccompanied youth can also receive food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).  

Education professionals play an important role in helping to identify children experiencing homelessness, letting parents know about the services available to them and working with their school colleagues to ensure that services are provided.  For more information see our joint report Access to Food for Homeless and Highly Mobile Students.

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