If meals are free, why is it still important to fill out applications?

You may be wondering why it is so important to continue filling out meal applications even though your student’s meals are free. Here is why.

Your Meal Program application helps your school:

  • Schools who qualify can expand their budgets to better provide for students.

  • DUSD may receive more funding per student — funding that goes back into our schools.

  • Schools may receive funding for afterschool programs.

  • Middle schools with high application counts can assist their feeder elementary schools in qualifying for benefits.

Students who qualify for free lunch can receive other benefits like:

Internet Access

Discount on home internet costs

CalFresh

Qualify for food benefits including Food Stamps and P-EBT

 

Bus Passes

Discount on bus passes

Every qualifying student counts and has a significant impact on yearly funds

Public school districts like Downey Unified receive funding from the state and the federal government to better support their low-income students. This funding is partially affected by how many students qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. Unfortunately, many students who would qualify do not apply each year. This leaves DUSD and its students without needed funding and those students miss out on nutritional meals. Each student who qualifies provides the district with extra funding that is vital for school programs.

Filling out this form is crucial to supporting our students and teachers. Each application brings us one step closer to providing our students with as many benefits as possible. There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain from applying for a meal application for your child.