YISD Records Increase In Children Receiving Subsidized Meals
EL PASO, TX — State officials think the recession is behind a 5 percent increase in the number of children who qualify for subsidized meals in Texas schools. Nearly 2.7 million children qualified for free or reduced-priced meals across the state.
Children are eligible for the program if their parents are considered low-income. A family income must be $18,200 or less a year for two children to qualify for free lunch.
In the Ysleta Independent School District, officials enrolled 1,670 more children in the free meal plan than last year; 567 students were eligible for reduced-price benefits. YISD says 35,528 of its 44,500 student population are on free or reduced-priced meal program.
“We don’t know the reason for the increase,” says YISD Public Relations Director Patricia Ayala. “All we do is process the application. Financial difficulties may be one reason, but we don’t know.”
Ayala says all parents regardless of income are encouraged to apply for the program. They can pick up applications at their child’s school.
El Paso Independent School District officials say 69 percent of the student population qualifies for subsidized meals, but that there has not been an increase since last year.
Socorro Independent School District did not answer ABC-7’s request for this information.
Written for kvia.com by Anchor/Reporter Stephanie Valle
