Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Department of Agriculture has announced that they are extending their funding for a program that will provide free breakfast and lunch to all elementary through high school students, regardless of income status.
USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue stated “As our nation reopens and people return to work, it remains critical our children continue to receive safe, healthy, and nutritious food. During the COVID-19 pandemic, USDA has provided an unprecedented amount of flexibilities to help schools feed kids through the school meal programs, and today, we are also extending summer meal program flexibilities for as long as we can, legally and financially. We appreciate the incredible efforts by our school foodservice professionals year in and year out, but this year we have an unprecedented situation. This extension of summer program authority will employ summer program sponsors to ensure meals are reaching all children – whether they are learning in the classroom or virtually – so they are fed and ready to learn, even in new and ever-changing learning environments.”
Cordell Public Schools Superintendent Brad Overton made the announcement via Facebook as well as in a recorded call to parents. Superintendent Overton said “Beginning September 1, 2020, free breakfast and lunch will be provided for all Cordell Public School students. We encourage all students to take advantage of a free wonderful, well-balanced meal.”
Other local schools including Sentinel, Canute, and Burns Flat-Dill City will be providing no-cost meals.